More pregame tidbits: Casilla, Cuddyer, Everett
Posted on July 30th, 2008 – 6:17 PMBy Joe Christensen
OK, let’s try this again.
Gardy gathered the media for his pregame session and stressed that no decision has been made about Alexi Casilla having surgery to repair the torn ligament in his right thumb.
“So you can unblog your blogs,” Gardenhire said.
Fair enough. The decision will be made once hand specialist Tom Varecka views the results of Casilla’s MRI exam on Thursday. Casilla is still on record saying, “I’m going to do surgery for sure.”
(*) Michael Cuddyer said there is no timetable for when he will go on his rehab assignment. But he took a nice step today when he took batting practice on the field.
The knuckle on his left index finger no longer hurts, but the hand feels sore and weak after not using it for almost five weeks.
(*) Adam Everett will be used at shortstop and perhaps some second base, Gardy said.
His right shoulder “feels good,” Everett said. “Is it 100 percent? Is anybody ever 100 percent this time of year? It feels 100 times better, I can tell you that.”
(*) No big news on the trade front, but we’re monitoring that. La Velle has been working a few angles and will have an update later.
Update (7:35 p.m.): The Yankees are close to trading LaTroy Hawkins to Houston. Jayson Stark is reporting that, and La Velle heard the same thing. So there goes that.
White Sox (59-46)
1. Orlando Cabrera, SS
2. A.J. Pierzynski, C
3. Carlos Quentin, LF
4. Jermaine Dye, RF
5. Jim Thome, DH
6. Paul Konerko, 1B
7. Nick Swisher, CF
8. Alexei Ramirez, 2B
9. Josh Fields, 3B
Starting pitcher: RH Gavin Floyd
Twins (59-47)
1. Denard Span, RF
2. Nick Punto, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Brendan Harris, SS
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Starting pitcher: RH Livan Hernandez
Metrodome. First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
392 Responses to "More pregame tidbits: Casilla, Cuddyer, Everett"
Talk about a key game tonight. Let’s hope Livan doesn’t bomb and the Twins can win and go ahead to 1st.
This is about the best lineup they can put together with Casilla down.
Everett on the bench until Casilla comes back or somebody new comes in.
They tried Harris in the #2 spot earlier this year…didn’t work so well. I suppose they can try again if Punto falters.
I agree, T. I hope Punto can keep up with the offense he had going on before going on the DL. If not, maybe Gomez could get things going and step in there.
bat Slowey 2nd!
That would be interesting to see. Span leading off with Gomez behind him.
Gomez/Mauer WAS working before Cuddy went down at the beginning.
I wonder if the finger/hand disability insurance company has gone bankrupt with all these Twins’ claims coming in.
T,
I like Harris in the 2 spot. But, I had to look up the stats to see where you were coming from on him not doing well there.
His worst spot in the order is #8. (Not counting a handful of awful plate appearances at #1)
His best spot has been #9, then #7, followed by #2. So, he is actually statistically better at 2 than today’s lineup of 8… but not necessarily, and this is probably your point, enough in the 2 spot… certainly not Casilla-level. Not sure he wouldn’t do as well as Nicky, but we’ll see.
What I didn’t check is his ability to move runners over. I think he does that fairly well.
Thanks for looking that up, I’m curiuos as to the AB numbers he’s gotten in each of those spots (Was he leading off when Gomez was hurt for a few days?)
Alejandro Machado is back in action at AAA. Given the magical results the Twins seem to get, Machado will step right in and perform a la Tolbert, Casilla, Buscher…
Please don’t ridicule this I’m just throwing it out there and I know its a long shot at best - any chance at all that Cuddyer finds his way to the infield now in order to get our best lineup on the field?
FTR: Everett was about a day away from never playing with the Twins. I doubt they’d do that, and then suddenly drop him in the starting lineup because Casilla’s down.
They’ve got Harris, they’ve got Punto. Those are your starters barring trades or Tolbert returning to health.
When - if - he returns of course
T,
Harris has only 12 AB as leadoff. He has 61-96 ABs in the 7, 8, 9, and 2 spots fairly evenly distributed (and another 4 ABs in the 6 spot).
Anyone know where all that blog talk about trading for Michael Young came from? I haven’t seen anything rumored that way. Just more blog wishful thinking?
eaa: If the Twins weren’t in the middle of a playoff race I’d say MAYBE they try Cuddy in the infield again.
But I don’t think now would be a good time to have a guy trying to shift to a position he hasn’t played in almost three years.
cmon Livan
His right shoulder “feels good,” Everett said. “Is it 100 percent? Is anybody ever 100 percent this time of year? It feels 100 times better, I can tell you that.”
I think a player that has played about 1/4 season should be as close to 100% as possible…
eaa, Gardy has said that Cuddyer was moved around too much early in his career, and he is not about to move him again, not to mention that I think Cuddy led the league in OF assists last year.
Folks, turn your tv off until around 8-8:30. We’re getting the two-inning jig from Livan. Come back when the third or fourth inning starts. If we’re lucky it will be no worse than 4-0 Sox. The Ghost of Brad Radke is about the Dome.
There we go. Damage control done. Livan gets through his ugly inning.
Oppo BA in this 1st inning = .500 (3 for 6) with a HR; yet only one run. New handle: “Livan the Lucky”?
Willie’s got a good point in one regard: games are 9 innings long and I have rarely seen this team quit when the opponent’s lead is less than 7.
LaTroy Hawkins Traded To Astros
By Tim Dierkes
According to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros acquired LaTroy Hawkins from the Yankees.
Hawkins is off the table: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/latroy-hawkins.html
looks like LaTroy might go to Houston…. who think they are in the race for some reason.
Good. No Hawkins. I’m happy with that.
How ’bout Arthur Rhodes?
I take that back. We all know that no trades will occur.
I read at espn.com that the twins made a play for matt holiday. Not gonna happen but they tried
We are keeping all are marbles to trade for Beltre and Young. That works for me.
So, just get it done Bill. Any combination of Livan, Lamb, Everett, Harris, Punto, Bass, Boof, Monroe, Cuddy, and Kubel is fine with me.
What do you mean there aren’t any takers? Put your best sales voice on the phone.
Actually, for these two guys, I would throw in some quality players. Probably not the number of quality players that is being asked though.
nice try Livo
Good heads up play by Livan there. Better throw maybe beats the runner.
I would be curious to know what we offered for Holliday.
MLBtraderumars has Manny to the fish for 3 players including Hermida(SP) with Hermida(sp) going to Pittsburgh and the Sox getting Jason Bay. Sorry about the spelling. They are reporting it as all but a done deal.
Any combination of Livan, Lamb, Everett, Harris, Punto, Bass, Boof, Monroe, Cuddy, and Kubel is fine with me.
Livan, Everett, Punto, and Monroe are all rentals.
Lamb is a clunker of a contract.
Bass is a spare piece who may or may not clear waivers.
Cuddy’s on the DL.
Of all those listed, only Boof and Kubel would likely have ANY sort of significant trade value (Cuddy doesn’t count because he just flat out isn’t eligible to be traded)
the twins are also trying for rich aurilia.
Holliday,
would take:
Revere, Manship, 1 of the starters, Kubel….
and maybe more
The fact Manny was able to dog his way out of Boston is absurd. He should be SUSPENDED. Not traded.
This just sets a BAAAAAD precident. Whine, get what you want.
Just like the NFL forcing the Packers to deal Favre.
According to espn the twins have been dangling Boof for a right handed bat or middle infield depth. Possibly what they tried to do for holliday
Sounds like the rockies won’t make a move till after todays game with pittsburgh. Maybe something can be worked out
Manny is up…. and walked… no trade yet
Who would want:
Holliday, Fuentes
for
Perkins,Kubel,Revere,Manship and a B prospect?
i would
Holliday, career numbers away from Coors:
.277/.342/.448
for comparison:
Cuddyer’s career numbers: .269/.344/.442
pretty similar methinks
The only concern I have with giving up youth for Holiday is that the Twins would have to pony up his contract before seeing if he’s the difference maker. Otherwise he’d walk at the end of the season (or be VERY hard to keep around)
And since you’re giving up the projected DH in Kubel, you’d want Holiday to stick around.
Or are you thinking Monroe as DH, with Holiday/Span/Young and Gomez on the bench?
These AB’s are reminding me of last night. I hope the outcome is the same!
T,
Holliday would be here next year also.
by here, i mean MN 
closest team to here is the Phillies
I’d have plunked Manny in his first AB. Then I’d make sure to be out of sight when Francona and Epstein slipped me my check.
frankly, every single Rockies position player, including Helton is way overrated because of the park they play their home games. Have a look at their career splits home vs. road. Team OPS is .855 home, .686 road. This speaks tons…
Ah. Thanks Shawn. I thought he was an FA at the end of the year.
I do like the idea then. Provided Holliday isn’t a Coors Adjusted Hitter. 
Most players have a slight home/road split favoring home…. i am sure Holliday’s numbers would lie somewhere in the middle…
Helton’s goatee is not over-rated.
It is a crying shame that Livan starts this game with 1st place on the line instead off Liriano.
I disagree. I think Livan has been a tremendous asset to this team. Having said that, yes he may be near the end of the line but there are two months left and Liriano will get his starts.
Most players have a slight home/road split favoring home
hmmm not sure…
career OPS numbers for the Twins’ OPS leaders:
Morneau: home .823, road .877
Mauer: home .821, road .890
New Manny rumor from BP:
“I’m hearing that a multi-team deal involving Jason Bay and the Florida Marlins is in the “final stages.” This could involve the previously in-place dealings involving Manny Ramirez as reported by our own John Perrotto. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com thinks that Bay could end up in Boston, Jeremy Hermida in Pittsburgh, and prospects flying every which way. My sources agree, though I will update as details become clearer.”
Ok, one more inning to survive of Livanophobia. The Sux are under the four run limit with one more inning of peril left.
If our guys can, like, hit a ball this one is in the bag…assuming that the Livanathon doesn’t allow more than two more runs.
We got ‘em right where we want ‘em.
i have stuck up for the fo but come on do something to improve yourself instead of sticking on our worthless prospects on teams that are all under 500 as teams. If our farm system was so good some of these teams would be winning but i think our farm system is very overrated
maybe the FO can’t make a trade because our prospects are worthless.
Did somebody say NO HITTER
well, we need to try to get Floyd’s pitch count up, because he has our number
Carlos G says:
July 29th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I have a good feeling about tomorrow. Livan gives up 2 HRs in the first three innings and we fall behind 3-0. We win the game 7-4.
DY goes yard.
Well, I got the first part partly right (one HR and trail 2-0 after three innings). Actually, better than I thought.
Now, let’s work on the second part.
(The DY part would just be frosting)
hmmm not sure…
career OPS numbers for the Twins’ OPS leaders:
Morneau: home .823, road .877
Mauer: home .821, road .890
He says “most”, and you counter it by citing two players?
.269/.339/.426/.765 - entire ML home
.255/.324/.399/.723 - entire ML away
How many ground balls are we going to hit?
I think we should wait a little more then 3 innings to call it a ‘no hitter’ LOL
thanks snepp,
i stated that without any backup, so i kept quiet. Thanks for the backup.
ROFL K. Siddown beeyotch.
He says “most”, and you counter it by citing two players?
.269/.339/.426/.765 - entire ML home
.255/.324/.399/.723 - entire ML away
What a snarky comment. When you’re at home you’re much more comfortable, you feel better since the fans give you that little extra. CLUTCH.
I am sure glad that we continue to leave Liriano down in triple A and give Livan starts so he can continue on his quest to give up 300 hits this season. It makes perfect sense Bill Smith.
Gee Ben, do you think we should call up Liriano? Boy, it’s a good thing we can do that mid game isn’t it?
Getting more angry by the min. that we are a 1/2 game back and we stilll have Hernandez pitching this badly with Liriano down in the minors.
T, I’m not saying mid-game. I am saying Livan should no longer be in the starting rotation. Trade Boof somewhere and Livan can fill his role in the pen.
I swear Livan’s had a few pitches that should’ve been called. It wouldn’t have changed the two runs, but he had one guy pegged that they didn’t call.
DYoung sucks.
We are spotting the Sox a win with Hernandez pitching this way. It is what it looks like so far. Argh.
Back to the original argument:
“all the Rockies batters are overrated”
Ok.
MLB OPS: .765 home .723 road (+.032 difference)
Rockies OPS: .855 home, .686 road. (+.169 difference)
I’d argue that with Buscher, Span, Casilla and Tolbert (now on DL) being called up this year I’d argue that our farm system is currently depleted, not overrated. This should of course improve once some of our draft picks work their way up the farm system.
Well there is the ballgame. Thanks for nothing Livan you bum.
Here’s the problem.
Everybody wants Beltre, which would take a guy like Perkins or Blackburn.
That means Liriano comes up to take over for THAT pitcher.
Which means *shock horror* Livan still is needed in the rotation. OHNOES!
Unless you move Livan to the pen. So then Boof has to move back to the rotation. Not a victory either way.
And Ben, again, the magical “Trade ___” doesn’t work as easily as one would like. Because, GET THIS, you NEED TO FIND A TRADE PARTNER!
The opinion of Boof in Minnesota is apparently that he isn’t worth a sack of crap…but apparently some other team would just DIE if they could take him off our hands. AND they’d be willing to give us something to boot!
ugh
Nice comment … says - what does that have to do with the current situation at all?
There is the 5 runs we had to spot them
Sox need to thank Twins for not bringing up Liriano.
Well there is the ballgame.
Baseball games are only 3.5 innings now?
Case & point of why Livan is a bum. Biggest game of the year, we’re down 5-0. We’re LUCKY to be down only 5 too.
trade boof for michael young! DUH!
Ok.
MLB OPS: .765 home .723 road (+.032 difference)
Rockies OPS: .855 home, .686 road. (+.169 difference)
Even with the “great humidor” Coors field the past 5 years has been top 5 hitters park. What do you expect about road/home splits?
The way Hernandez and Floyd have been pitching–game over. Argh.
We did not survive the Livanfourrunfourinning rule. Scott Baker come on down…you are the one to salvage the series.
Billy Smith…step slowly away from the buffet and pick up the phone…you are about to be hung in effigy if you don’t show some sign that you are sentient.
The Livan at home legend dies tonight and the piper must be paid. I am now officially in the camp that I hope the union takes Carl to the cleaners with a violation on the Liriano beef.
As Forrest Gump once said “Conservative is as conservative does.”
Wouldn’t the Yankees take Livan for Latroy? Seems they like the older pitchers
… obviously you just tuned in and haven’t been watching the game since the beginning. Twins still have yet to get a hit and Livan is lucky that all the White Sox have is 5 runs.
I have to believe there is no other team in the majors who would’ve had Liriano still in the minors and Livan Hernandez starting this game down by .5 games tonight.
That is stupid, and it’s not like I’m the only one saying that, or it hasn’t been said for the past month.
Man it would be nice if we would put our best starting pitchers on the field (Liriano) instead of Livan because he is ‘good in the club house.’
Works everytime, all you have to do is mention the no hits and we get one.
Baseball games are only 3.5 innings now?
And remember. The season ends July 31st. Though…I could’ve sworn this season already had ended on July 23rd.
Or wait, wasn’t it over June 8th? I can’t tell anymore.
But don’t worry. The Twins will likely win tomorrow and then go from being over to one bat away.
Thank GOD the FO doesn’t listen to this bunch of bipolars…
Span is the man
you are about to be hung in effigy if you don’t show some sign that you are sentient.
It’s called the Beltre talks, the Grudzy talks, the Atkins and Roberts talks, the Hawkins talks, and the Holliday talks.
Just because they can’t make the other team take Boof and Livan for A-Rod doesn’t mean they aren’t trying.
I wish it was as easy as trading our duds for someone elses studs, but as was said when we gave up Garza for Young, you have to give something to get something! DUH!
Summary of many “Twins fans”:
Twins down 4-0 yesterday; 5-0 today = game over; Twins will lose.
Twins lose 4 in a row; Twins lose 5 in a row; season’s over; Twins are cr-p.
oh grate puntos on base again. i suppose now he’ll be in the lineup tomorow too!
Carlos G: You forgot to add…
Twins lose 5 in a row. Season’s over.
Twins win a series. One bat away.
Well, now there goes Mauer ruining the great AB by Punto. Well, let’s trade him too.
need a couple runs back here MVP
Another ground ball out(s)
I wish it was as easy as trading our duds for someone elses studs
Some “fans” around here exercise the “shotgun approach”
Throw enough crap at a team and hope something sticks.
MVP!!!
Livan is just pitching, the way Livan pitches.
The Twins might score twelve runs, and once again Livan will be considered a great pitcher.
good job
T, I don’t think anybody is saying that the season is over. It just sucks that it feels like we have to score at least 7 runs to win a game every 5th game.
Okay, I’m convinced, Livan has to go. Trade him, cut him, whatever. No way we can do worse with Liriano in that rotation spot.
Well now Mauer should definately be traded. It could easily be 5-2 instead of 5-1.
Great work there “stud”. Maybe we should see if we can dump him off on some poor team.
Guess just about everyone needs traded if we are basing everything on one game.
settle down Coom, why not pitch to the guy with a 5 run lead.
It’s amazing how the Twins are always “trying” but can’t get it done, yet other teams seem to get it done without really trying.
I wonder what the Twins could get for MR. Double Play Joe Mauer in a trade?
It just sucks that it feels like we have to score at least 7 runs to win a game every 5th game.
And what I’m telling you is you can’t wish for Livan to go away AND have Beltre.
If they trade for Beltre, Livan is in the rotation because he’ll have to be there to replace whoever gets traded out of rot.
Liriano will still come up, but you need five starters.
That’s what I was saying is the Twins problem. They don’t have the DEPTH of pitching this season and there isn’t much avaiable that won’t cripple their current setup.
Can you live with Beltre everyday if it means Livan (or Boof) is still every 5th?
I am basing my stance on Livan on his 5.48 era for the year and his 4-5 record in his past 10 starts (1 no decision), not just one game. He needs to go if the Twins hope to make the playoffs.
“I wonder what the Twins could get for MR. Double Play Joe Mauer in a trade?”
A LOT if you really want to know. Check out the SI poll of GM’s this week to see how they view Mauer.
yet other teams seem to get it done without really trying.
Yeah, because its as simple as the Yankees going “Hey can we have Pudge?”
Trades take work. The problem is that the TWINS DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER!
Why don’t people get it? All they have is crap that you guys don’t want (Boof, Livan, Lamb…etc)
It doesn’t matter if you package up all 8 of those guys, you won’t be able to just throw them at a team and expect them to bend over and take those guys.
You want Beltre, but you don’t want Livan or Boof in the rotation. How many times a day do people clamor to offer Cuddyer when the guy is on the DL and CAN’T BE TRADED without commish approval (and a stupid team)
fire all the coaches and trade all the players, that must be the answer, after all the season will be over if we fall 1.5 games behind.
So Livan, who’s about to be the first pitcher in forever to give up 300 hits, has an ERA over 5 and an average against of .336, and sucks again and we’re “jumping the gun?” Whoever supports Livan is an idiot, plain and simple.
T-
Hey, dipshit. I never effing said anything about your strawman Boof for A-rod.
I am perfectly able to understand that one has to give up quality for quality. I understand that there is pain to get gain. If you can show me one time where I have said that we should trade Lamb for Pujols you can come over to my house and ravage my wife.
You are a mall cop and I don’t have time to deal with your hall monitor crap.
This team is unbalanced in their run generation, they need to find some way to manufacture runs when a lefty is pitching. They have an imbalance in their farm system which is vaunted yet has no prospects for position players.
If you want to sit in front of the teacher and remind her at three o’clock that she forgot to give out homework then go ahead. If you want to talk about your ideas instead of picking apart every sentence typed by anybody go ahead.
If you want to seem cool and toss out strawmen then f off and don’t respond to my commments. You are the worst kind of poster…the smart ass sniper. Leave me alone.
He needs to go if the Twins hope to make the playoffs
Fair enough.
So then when they trade Perkins or Blackburn for Beltre…who do you put in the rotation?
Hey maybe the made a deal involving Livan and that is why he isn’t out here for the 5th. I guess a guy can always dream.
Great comment T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TIME FOR LIRIANO!!!!! Livan is DONE!!!
What exactly is wanted for Beltre? Buscher or Kubel, plus Pridie, plus Mulvey or Humber or Manship (or two of them) should be somewhat enticing for a lot of teams, including Seattle. Livan needs to be gone from this team. Thanks for helping our young pitchers, but you gotta go, dude.
People should stop worrying about “depleting” the farm system . . . the Twins roster has a TON of young guys for years to come (and Beltre isn’t that terribly old either) so they won’t have to drain from the minors nearly as much for a couple of years.
Go twins!
T, I am fine with not acquiring a Beltre if it means that Liriano would be in the rotation instead of Livan.
After Quentin’s double, was Gardy chewing out Anderson?
Just because they can’t make the other team take Boof and Livan for A-Rod doesn’t mean they aren’t trying.
Obviously none of us are privy to any of the potential conversations (if they even exist). But the only thing we know, right now, is that no trades have been made, the Twins are in contention, have some needs that could be addressed, and the trade deadline is tomorrow. So I don’t blame folks for being a little frustrated.
I certainly don’t blame people for beign frustrated with the outcome of tonight’s game. Liriano should have been up here at least two starts ago. This was not that difficult to see coming. Chicago was favored in this game, that does not happen to the Twins at home much.
At this point I’d take Boof over Livan.
I never thought I’d utter the words “Boof over _____”
Shane,
We may never know what was offered or asked for Beltre. What I read was the M’s wanted one of the young SPs and two high prospects.
I would do your offer, but would Seattle?
Well I made the mistake of leaving watching the game to read this blog.
I wonder if ANY major league team has such a group of crybaby fans.
Or maybe it’s just the nature of blogs.
Don’t mind missing you folks later
Regards,
Unless I were to say “I wish someone would take and bend Boof over a barrel, before shoving a rake up his arse”
Hey Willie do you have any idea what the Twins record against lefties is in the last month, including 2-0 this series? They’ve done pretty well against lefties lately yet you call T o names for pointing out the obvious in a comment that wasn’t directed at one person in particular anyways.
Hey, dipshit. I never effing said anything about your strawman Boof for A-rod.
Congrats Willie. Your ability to assemble an ad hominem attack vs. anything resembling intelligent discussion proves.
Thanks also for resorting to the “Blog Cop”. It further proves your just another mindless drone regurgitating whatever the “vocal majority” desides it wants to spew today.
As far as this gem: “If you want to talk about your ideas instead of picking apart every sentence typed by anybody go ahead.”
It’s called “quoting” genious. It’s a method intelligent people use so that those involved in the conversation know which concept, idea, or statement is being addressed.
It’s done so that while the 80+ whiners are posting their daily Punto diatribes the rest of us are able to develop a means of actually discussing baseball.
And I know what a straw man is pal. No. Nobody said “Punto for A-Rod.” But if you would actually read some of those posts that pop up in between your digs maybe you’d notice that there are some pretty absurd trade suggestions. Least of which is this apparent obsession with trading a guy who’s on the DL.
I don’t know what you consider a “discussion” to be, but where I come from (a place called Earth) it’s usually the result of more than one person sharing an idea and various others commenting on that idea and agreeing/disagreeing and pointing out flaws in logic.
Whereas I suppose your idea (based on that whole “talk about idea” vs. “picking apart sentences” notion) would be more akin to what 75% of this blog does on a daily basis.
AKA: Come on, post some bathroom caulk or Gardy/Punto joke, take about a 10-15 minute break, come back on and post it again but this time replace a few words so it looks original.
I’m sorry if you can’t handle an actual conversation, and if your so overtly offended that somebody would DARE differ in opinion, feel free to find your way to some other board. Maybe start your own blog. Then you can post whatever you want and ignore comments altogether.
I was thinking the same that we would be better off starting Boof and let Livan do long relief. Boof did lose 50 pounds for this season so lets use him.
Might I posture a trade of Livan back to the D-backs or maybe the Marlins? The D-backs just demoted Micah Owings and Miami is Livan’s home base. Living in AZ and having suffered thru Livan’s 11-11 record last year, might I add that it’s not going to get any better. He is known to be a good influence on young Latino players, thus the viability of the trade. Maybe the Twins’ pitching coach could pick up the slack, as an influence, pitching-wise.
The only excuse for still having Livan the Lucky in the rotation is that they didn’t want to DFA Boof. They wanted to trade him or another pitcher for something. After tomorrow, it’ll happen one way or another (Frankie returns). If not, we storm the Twins offices with pitchforks and torches.
well said T
Carlos G,
Yeah I would have nothing to do with getting rid of those 4 legitimate starters in the current rotation right now. That would be a mistake. I was hoping that Seattle would deal Ibanez somewhere so they would be in need of some outfield help.
Word, T.
T,
Separate issues.
EASY and NECESSARY
1) Replace Bass with Liriano on pitching staff.
UNRELATED (and very unlikely)
2) trade for Beltre
See.
Totally separate issues.
Livan Fucking Sucks!
Hawkins traded to Astros. Is that old news?
The 6th is going to be the start of our comeback with Gomez and Span leading off.
Nice AB Harris.
Seriously, why is there SO much animosity towards players like Gomez, Young, and Punto here? The first two are TWENTY-TWO and already good, and Punto is still batting near .290 while being able to play three infield positions. Sheesh.
Yeah, it’s old news.
Thank you for ascribing to me writings that I’ve never made. When you respond to something I’ve said respond to something I’ve said. I am not the “blog.” When you defend yourself to me don’t ever attach something that has been written by anyone else on this blog.
If you’re frustrated with someone then go after them. If you have a beef with what I write then come after me. I’m more than able to defend anything I say on a blog.
You came after me with a strawman about Boof for Arod and I never said that anywhere. Be specific in your critiques about what someone writes and we’ll get along. As I said…leave me alone. I’m 53, educated, own businesses and I don’t need a babysitter, hall monitor, or confessor.
If you have a problem with a blog then send an email to the sponsor of the blog. Don’t come after a poster. Either that or start your own blog and control it. Nobody appointed you the king.
Re Beltre:
What I read was the M’s wanted one of the young SPs
that was LaVelle’s leap of faith. The quote was that the Mariners wanted a Blanton -like return. LaVelle assumed that it meant that one of the 4 young major league starters would be part of the package, where no major league players were involved in the Blanton trade.
here is the original post
http://ww3.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/07/19/trade-for-beltre-doesnt-look-possible/
Is Boof auditioning for a chance to be traded to another team right now?
The biggest problem is that NOBODY in the Twins org expected a contender this season. (I’m not repeating the differences in competitive and contending)
So they made plans to fill holes in the short term (Everett/Lamb/Monroe/Livan) while they evaluated certain talent.
Did anybody think Liriano would be so disasterous in this starts earlier this season? Or that he’d return to dominance so quickly afterwards?
Did anybody expect Buscher, Span, and Casilla (more so the latter two) to have such breakout seasons?
Did anybody forsee the Neshek injury?
The Twins have actually been handcuffed by their own success this season. They’re in dire need to make moves, but they’re just not situatied to make those moves this season. At least not without eating salary left and right and taking some gambles in the rotation.
The BIG gamble in dealing a SP (not named Livan) is that you have that hole that only Livan or Boof could fill. Trust Boof more than Livan or not…it’s still the lesser of two evils.
Does Liriano offset Livan/Boof more than the guy he’d be replacing? Does Beltre offset the Livan/Boof AND the loss of Casilla?
Joe…why did Coomer just talk about Baltimore maybe lessening their asking price for Roberts if he is off the table?
Forget Liriano, Livan might lose his spot to Boof. He’s looking really good tonight.
*shrugs*
Maybe they HAVE an asking price now?
I’m jsut curious about the hall monitor references. Is this national slam hall monitors week?
You guys just don’t get it! Hernandez will not be traded because Billy Boy Smith made 3 horrible acquistions in Monroe, Lamb and Everett and if he trades Livan he admits that he is the worst GM in baseball. He also was responsible for letting Garza and Bartlett go for Young and Harris. Bartlett is hitting a heckuva lot better than Harris and his defense is much better. We all know what Garza has done and what little punch Young has shown at the plate. Finally he had a chance to get Lester and Ellsbury for Santana and dinked around until the Red Sox pulled the deal off the table and instead we got 2 stiffs at Rochester and Gomez.
All in all Smith has done a helluva job in one year. He will make everyone forget Kevin (McFail) McHale by the end of the year.
Gomez and Young are not “good” Young is bordering on decent and Gomez is utterly putrid. Could they get better, the Twins are banking their future on it. But neither one is good yet.
matt, I hope he is.
Bonser, Perkins, and Manship for Beltre.
Houston has made a few additions now - a starter and now a reliever. How very strange.
Boof is looking good tonight. At the very least, he is hopefully auditioning to take over for Livan (emphasis on L)
jon, you’re missing the problem. If the price for Beltre (IF) does in fact include a starting pitcher from the main 4, who replaces that hole?
Liriano would replace Livan. Yes. But you still have the hole for the guy could potentially be traded for Beltre (or not specifically Beltre…but let’s say the “one bat” they bring in)
“Hernandez will not be traded because Billy Boy Smith made 3 horrible acquistions in Monroe, Lamb and Everett and if he trades Livan he admits that he is the worst GM in baseball.”
I disagree. Lamb - poor pick up. Monroe and Everett - well below average. Hernandez has had an OK year. He has gotten us to this point. Great pitcher - certainly not but he’s helped this team until Liriano is ready.
The White Sox are said to be offering cabrera for the “right pitcher” - after watching him flail at livan/boof’s sliders tonight, I dearly hope nobody makes a trade for cabrera.
Even Dragon had to stop watching Livan.
It’s Ok Dragon, you are a few months behind but at least you saw the light.
I’m jsut curious about the hall monitor references.
Craig felt clever one day and came up with the “Blog Cop”/”Blog Monitor” nickname because I dared to disagree with people on here.
I know, *shockhorror*, people don’t always agree on everything.
Sad isn’t it? Either follow the Vocal Majority or be burned at the stake.
Smith admitted his mistakes when he dumped Rincon and tried to dump Everett.
The fact Adam had a Casilla voodoo doll in his suitcase was unforseen.
T is not a blog cop. T is blog KGB.
‘61, the way I remember it the Twins had a chance to get Lester OR Ellsbury, not Lester AND Ellsbury.
Finally he had a chance to get Lester and Ellsbury for Santana…
No. He didn’t. That offer was never on the table.
The deal only ever went as fall as Lester OR Ellsbury. And it didn’t sound like anybody outside of us here thought that offer was anything more than an attempt to force the Yankees hand.
Bartlett is hitting a heckuva lot better than Harris…Umm…
Bartlett(298AB): .252BA/.294OBP/.292SLG
Harris (327AB).257BA/.314OBP/.367SLG
T is not a blog cop. T is blog KGB.
Hi Craig. Long time no see. Get bored of being Willie?
I love all this talk, first of all, all of the old veterans like Lamb, Everett, Monroe, Livan stink, and the Twins should never have picked them up.
On the other hand, Gomez and Young, 22-year olds, are awful too.
Unless we have 6 all-stars, most of you won’t be happy.
T said — “Liriano would replace Livan. ”
Don’t think so. The sacrifice with losing 1 of the top 4 pitchers for Beltre would be to keep Livan around so he can do his big-brother thing to Liriano (while remaining in the starting rotation).
T,
What you are missing is that:
There will be NO Beltre trade. (or any other trade that will cost us a SP)
If there is no trade which costs us a SP, then Liriano should join the rotation, Livan should join the bullpen and Bass should join the Red Wings (or another MLB team).
Twins throwing in the towel tonight. See you tomorrow night. I’ll go check my seismometer.
If Casilla hadn’t been a head case last year, he likely starts the season at SS (or quite possibly 2B with Harris at SS)
And I have to agree on Lamb. I wanted this to be Buscher’s make-or-break year from Day 1.
Livan was a cheap Silva (well, an 06/07 Silva). He was Liriano’s insurance policy. I just wish Liriano hadn’t sucked it up in his first call up. We wouldn’t be in this mess now.
You really think the Twins will make any kind of significant trade or two?? I have some beach/oceanfront property for you in Kansas.
Bonser giving a nice final audition for some team.
I am not Willie. I am too laid back to be Willie. It’s just baseball, guys. Relax.
T, I was just funnin’ you with the KGB thing. Enjoy the game, comrade.
Why is it that Livan has to join the bullpen? everyone writes that. He can’t pitch. Would he be better than Bass?
I still cannot believe everyone gets so out of whack cuz the twinkies dont make any moves….where have you all been for the past 15 years? Other than Shannon Stewart, the twinks have held tight to their roster and stayed with that philosophy…that wont change! They have been able to stay competitive with a few post season runs - look at other teams that annually rake their minor league rosters for the short term and still havent had the overall success the twins had!
You’re right romer, in one capacity or another Livan would likely be here if Beltre was aquired. (Provided the SP was neccesary)
The idea is that it’s likely trading for Beltre means there’s going to have to be a weakness ELSEWHERE that this team would have to live with through the season.
Be it some combo of Boof/Livan/Bass…
Iamnot,
competetive shouldn’t cut it.
T-
I can assure you that I’m not Craig. You’d be very surprised how much I agree with you when you post an opinion that isn’t an immediate reaction to someone else. When you post something that is your original thought/thoughts you have good takes. FWIW.
You really think the Twins will make any kind of significant trade or two??
I do believe the Twins will find someway to make a move that lets Liriano move up without having to eat somebody’s contract.
Be it trading Bass for my old Acura or just shooting Livan…out of a cannon…into the sun.
Why is it that Livan has to join the bullpen? everyone writes that. He can’t pitch. Would he be better than Bass?
Whatever!
As long as Liriano is in the rotation and Livan is not, Gardy and Andy can fill out the bullpen as they see fit.
Evets - I agree 100%…but its jsut the way the twinks do things and its not going to change….yet people act like they havent seen them do this year in and year out.
Jon,
I agree.
opinion that isn’t an immediate reaction to someone else
I sincerely hope it’s not the italics thing. That’s done out of internet habit and respect for the comment. Lord knows I didn’t always do it, and have tried to stop…and it’s only caused more chaos.
I try to keep my comments related to baseball and other issues related to logic in arguments. It’s why I typical address it as a “groupthink” situation vs. any specific poster.
If I pull a quote, it’s because I feel it’s a good example.
I think the T comes from inTp, but don’t quote me on it.
“I still cannot believe everyone gets so out of whack cuz the twinkies dont make any moves…”
Because, iamnotPGammons, everyone else is making moves.
Ya think? Maybe?
And we’re of the hope that the Smith regime would be different from the past.
Did the Dick just say that “maybe this year the Cubs will win the World Series” or I just imagined that? If the bleeping home play by play TV person cannot support the Twins, he should simply go
Yankees need some bullpen arms-what can they give us for Boof?
I hope they do, T. They do not need a huge change just a tweak or two. The chemistry is good, although they do need a bit more “fire in the belly” almost every game through October.
Any offers for the oceanfront property in Kansas?
Should have traded Boof two hitters ago
The Twins should just assign every pitcher in the system a number and then randomly pick a number and call the subsequent pitcher up. They’d be just as good as Bass and maybe not much worse than VP-filled Hernandez.
“Did the Dick just say that “maybe this year the Cubs will win the World Series” or I just imagined that? If the bleeping home play by play TV person cannot support the Twins, he should simply go”
Please tell me you are joking. Please.
OOps Bonser lost focus and forgot he was auditioning.
There you go, T.
Willie often agrees with you, but thinks you’re a dipsh!t. I never agree with you, but I like you.
End of the Boof audition….and, ironically, probably the Twins season.
Boof boof boof…
Iamnot,
No doubt. I beleive this year will be somewhat different though…I think BS will be more of a gunslinger than TR. Like it or not, he was more aggressive this year in the winter and I think that will continue.
8-1
Should have traded Boof two hitters ago Yeah…it looks that way…
Nevermind, the Boof phone calls have stopped.
Romer - I also hope that Smith would be different from Ryan….but he is not. It amazes me that people think the twins will change their philosophy that they have adopted for many, many years.
thrylos,
Is your complaint that Bremer is NOT enough of a homer?
That would contradict what I usually read on the blog.
Romer I think contraction might even be back on the table.
Any offers for the oceanfront property in Kansas?
Well, it depends on your take on Global Warming. A purchase in 2008 could turn into a wise investment in 2020.
And that Boof homer sucks, but it’s 3ER in like….4 innings? 5?
It’s not terrible, just looks like it when stacked on top of the 5 already there.
yep…..the phone is ringing off the hook for Boof…
Did the Dick just say that “maybe this year the Cubs will win the World Series” or I just imagined that? If the bleeping home play by play TV person cannot support the Twins, he should simply go
What a pathetic little man you are. Do you listen to these two idiots on FSN North? They lick more Twins rear end than anyone. They’re awful.
Bonser - GONE
Livan - GONE
_____ - GONE (fill in the blank)
_____ - Gone (fill in the blank)
_____ - In (fill in the youknowwhat)
eaa,
I am not joking. He said that. In my book it’s worse than Bert’s F-bombs
The season is over? Nice run guys! See you next year!
KeVin, Gomez is the best defensive CF in baseball in terms of range. I agree that his OBP is nowhere near what it needs to be, but early in this season that was mitigated somewhat by his basestealing ability. Delmon is batting near .300 and should steal 25 or so bases this year. They’re both 22! Would you have preferred Monroe more?
Well Bonser sealed it. Bet after the fact Twins will finally decide to bring up Liriano. Lets hope they at least have finally wised up after losing a important game.
KeVin,
I am listening to the mlb.tv casts. Not many other ways to get the Twins live here, y’know…
Don’t worry, the Angels have it all rapped up!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think adding a power hitter or adding a good reliever constitutes a complete change in philosophy.
There’s the Boof we know and love. Man has this guy gone down the drain.
I could actually live with Livan in the rotation for the next few months if we got Beltre, simply because Livan would not have to pitch in the playoffs. As it sits now I do not believe the current roster can beat any of the potential playoff teams. But if they don’t make any significant moves it wouldn’t be the end of the world either.
Thrylos my point - which I probably should have come out and stated right away - is that Dick is the biggest Homer since Harry Carey. He would need to say something like that about 4325235263 more times to make up for his homerism.
And KeVin, would you prefer dirtball “homer” announcers like the White Sox announcers? How dare Twins announcers say anything good about other teams!
This is why Bonser’s numbers look so bad. He has been asked to get outs when he is done and then gets bombed. Bonser will be a good pitcher for someone–I hope it is the Twins. I really don’t blame anyone, though. When you are the mop-up guy, you get lousy, low-leverage innings. Too many pitches some times, too much time between appearances.
and like that, “boof”, the game is gone
Bonser working on his PHD
Piled higher and deeper
Liriano started Sunday in AAA. That means his normal day would be Friday.
The Twins can wait to call up Liriano until AFTER the deadline tomorrow and he’ll still be ready to make his start the next day.
Why call up Liriano and force a DFA when you can still make a few calls? You lose NOTHING.
You can make the complaint he should’ve been called up SOONER, but after he started Sunday the difference between calling him up then and tomorrow at 4pm is meaningless.
Watching Livan and Bonser pitch tonight has been absolute misery. Every inning is a struggle
ITS ONE GAME!!
The season’s over??
Win tomorrow and we are only one bat away.
What competitors you are!
The rats are leaving the ship!
fezik, the game was gone before that. It was 5-1 in the seventh and Danks is DEALING. This is the same guy who like 1-hit the Twins eariler this year.
Bonser now has the sign of the devil - 6.66 as an ERA - time to let him go asap!!
Flatblade….Boof’s gettng paid to get people out. He’s not earning his paycheck.
flatblade…are you fricken kidding? Whatever you are smoking, please pass it along to me so I can understand how you think Boof will be a good pitcher…
Liriano is due to start Friday in Roch.
So, we’ll see….
Boof has trouble keeping the ball in the park. Boof needs a huge ballpark.
Danks is tomorrow and I hope he isn’t dealing!
Shane, if you’re fast what’s the point of speed if you can’t get on base? Give me a slower runner who gets on 10% more often than Gomez. Gomez has been one of the if not the worst offensive player in baseball. If Delmon and his empty 300 was playing CF and playing it as well as Gomez then we’d be somewhere. As it is, he’s a light hitting, awful OBP hole who plays an awful LF. What’s so great RIGHT NOW about either one?
And thrylos, Bremer cries more about the Twins than anyone. Blyleven and Bremer could use a course in not sucking up. They’re not as flamboyantly homer like Hawk, but they’re still awful homerish.
If Mauer isn’t hitting fly balls to left center, he is hitting ground balls to second like no one i have ever seen!!
New and Improved,
That’s why I wish they built the park in Blaine, 800′ power alleys.
“Bonser now has the sign of the devil - 6.66 as an ERA - time to let him go asap!!”
I knew there was something sinister about that guy.
Boof’s gettng paid to get people out. He’s not earning his paycheck.
How does any pitcher earn their keep then?
Kubel comes through again…a base hit with no one on base! lol
“If Mauer isn’t hitting fly balls to left center, he is hitting ground balls to second like no one i have ever seen!!”
Or going 2-4 like last night.
Evets,
You have that right. That stadium belonged in Blaine. Lots of room for power alleys.
Twins Fan in SoCal,
your comment about Boof’s ERA reminded me of this:
I thought I’d gotten past that Rincon feeling.
they earn by not giving up three run bombs every time they take the mound
really thrylos? settle down, Dick is the biggest homer there is.
My mistake. Thanks. Was it Floyd who 1-hit the Twins then also? Thought they referenced that tonight.
I hope you won’t mind if I don’t give a crap about the Sox beyond wanting to see them beaten.
I can take his bad with his good more than any other Twin. Even Pucket had his bad days.
For god’s sake, no team can survive a dual effort between Hernandez and Bonser. I guess they decided to give up on the game from the start? They wouldn’t want to actually ever catch Chicago..they just prefer to get to 1 game or a half game back and then go on their usual losing streak again.
KeVin, the two will combine for over 50 steals with a combined OBP of somewhere around .315. I know they swing wildly at nonsense, right now, but they are better than you are making them out to be.
How old are Delmon and Carlos?
Iron Maiden - Classic Rock! Groovy!
Lost in this conversation is that 1 run and 3 hits so far against this lineup is not going to get it done, no matter who is on the hill for the Twins.
It was Floyd and quite frankly I am sick and tired of not being able to do anything against him!
The Hawkins trade to the Astros is a prelude to a second trade…to the Twins! The Astros will package “The Hawk” with Miguel Tejada in return for Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak and player to be named!!! I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’….
OK, the season’s not over.
But the chances of making the post-season are almost impossible.
And winning a series in the post-season is impossible.
Unless Tolbert and/or Casilla come back as the super saviour.
Or unless we get Beltre.
Liriano is due to start Friday in Roch.
That’s also after the deadline, which is when the Twins will have had their best chance at putting a deal together.
I’ll honestly be SHOCKED if Liriano isn’t at LEAST on the roster by Friday night, if not on the mound in the Dome.
Serioulsy Chicago…the bullpen?
Not just another Paul - Good stuff!
KeVin, the two will combine for over 50 steals with a combined OBP of somewhere around .315. I know they swing wildly at nonsense, right now, but they are better than you are making them out to be.
Both are below average, the AL average is 333. So neither hit for much power or get on base. They’re awesome offensive juggernauts!
IT IS ALMOST OFFICIAL ! The Astros ARE packaging Hawkins with Miguel Tejada in return for Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak and player to be named!!!
. . . and oceanfront land in Kansas for the first sucker who believes it!
Impossible? Come on now! We would have all loved to have a 4 game sweep but if we can win tomorrow 3 of 4 isn’t bad!
What better day to pitch badly then when the Twins hitters are getting worked.
Win six by one run and lose one by six runs - great week.
Exactly. Even with their four best starters on the mound, the Twins would have a heck of a time sweeping the Sox in four.
This is kind of like a ST game……..
Who do you think is the better pitcher and will make the team; Boof, Livan, or Bass?
8-1…Again the Twins CANNOT close the show…..They have a chance to go into first and the guy that was supposed to be the anchor of the staff sucks butt again….When will they guys in charge learn WE NEED SOME PLAYERS THAT CAN GET US OVER THE HUMP!!!!!!
Bonser - GONE
Livan - GONE
Bass - GONE
_____ - Gone (fill in the blank)
_____ - In (fill in the frikin’ blank)
_____ - In (fill in the frikin’ blank)
_____ - In (fill in the frikin’ blank)
Game was over when Livan was announced as starter. He needs out of the rotation ASAP!
Figure it out Dick. Gardy was telling Morneau to play off the bag - not Punto
6.66, huh?
Well, it IS fast approaching the annual Castillo bewitching day.
When will they guys in charge learn WE NEED SOME PLAYERS THAT CAN GET US OVER THE HUMP!!!!!!
They know. They’re working on it. But nobody wants the spare parts falling off the Twins boat.
thrylos,
love Maiden, we used to sing 665 the Neighbor of the best in the dorm
The twins are throwing the terrible trio of Livan, Boof, and Bass out there tonight
Alejandro Machado, the Rochester 2B, is now hitting .333, which is .114 higher than Casilla was hitting at AAA when he joined the Twins this year.
and Bass is the ace of that group.
“Game was over when Livan was announced as starter.”
Well…….if Nora is feeling sarcastic about the Livan thing, Bill Smith better start listening to us.
Meanwhile, looks like Bass will make the team this year.
Bass worked out of a jam nicely.
L(ivan)-B(ass)-B(onser) little base balls / lack of balls & brains
He’s had enogh practice at that
Is Gardy holding auditions tonight? Livan, Boof, Bass. 2 of those 3 have gotta go
This kind of reminds me of 2006. Always knocking on the door but couldn’t get over the hump, until we did.
Twinsfan in So Cal,
Is that southwest or northwest Kansas for the ocean front property?
Check out the Tigers and Indians game - it’s a dandy!
Hey thanks, jon! Machado’s back?
Wonderful! I think he’s as good as Casilla.
It’s actually - nowhere
Wind knocked out.
Yikes…that’s a shoulder injury there. Definately winded.
SALTS!
Why is the health/wellness guy usually the fattest one on the staff?
i would think livan has made his last start for the twins. liriano needs to take his spot, that’s all there is to it. i’ve had livan’s back so far, because, well, he’s won 10 games and for the most part has done what he’s supposed to do. but he has been REALLY bad (even for him) lately and it’s time to dump him. i think they’ll keep him, either send him down or put him in the pen because his leadership will pay off in september, but enough is enough.
and as far as trades, i keep reading brian roberts isn’t going anywhere but then i hear ron coomer on the telecast saying bill smith and the orioles GM are good friends and the orioles have lowered their demands for roberts. what’s the deal?
T,
that ChiSox trainer looked right out of a Sopranos extras cast.
Gomez pulled a Kubel - 2 out single!
T,
I said that last night to a friend. I thought he might have a heart attack when he scurried out the pitcher. He stopped half way to catch his breath.
Where’s the ‘drama queen’ comments for the extended time on his back? He ran into a padded wall with a lot of ‘give’ for crying out loud. Not like Gomez and Span running into brick walls or the equivalent.
“Alejandro Machado, the Rochester 2B, is now hitting .333, which is .114 higher than Casilla was hitting at AAA when he joined the Twins this year.”
Machado is a real slick fielder. He has speed. He is a very fundamentally sound player. He knows how to draw a walk. He rarely strikes out. This player is very talented. Good eye, jon, for recognizing a quality player.
Bill Smith’s wife needs to write 5.48 in big numerals and stick it on his pillow tonight.
“What’s this, honey?”
“Oh you big barbecuer, it’s Livan’s ERA. Tee-hee.”
“Why is the health/wellness guy usually the fattest one on the staff?”
That is almost without fail. The first guy out of the dugout to tend to a hurt player almost always waddles.
Whalefeet, could to have you aboard teh Livan Express.
also, the twins are interested in rich aurilia from the giants. at first thought, i can’t understand why they’d want him. but he can play third, short, second, or first and is better than everett by a long shot. it wouldn’t cost them much so i say for it. and i don’t think it would hurt to get a bullpen arm (taschner, walker) included in that trade either.
They pulled Floyd? Seriously?
Alejandro Machado = Nick Punto - 4 years
That is almost without fail. The first guy out of the dugout to tend to a hurt player almost always waddles.
Is he first because he needs the headstart?
alrighty,
the Manny trade is done:
Marlins get Manny Ramirez, one prospect (Red Sox), and cash
Pirates get Jeremy Hermida and three prospects (two Marlins, one Red Sox)
Red Sox get Jason Bay and John Grabow
Prospect names yet to be released and the comish has to approve the trade because there is more than $1 mil cash transfer to the Marlins…
“Why is the health/wellness guy usually the fattest one on the staff?”
It’s for comedic purposes. Keeps the guys loose. Everyone gets to laugh when he waddles out there.
I take it back…….one of us posters should put the big note on Smith’s pillow.
He’ll still ask the same question.
She’ll still give the same answer.
go marlins! nothing like the lowest payroll team(s) competing.
Breslow looks like a permanent addition. He’s got the Guerrier fever.
well, the bright side is the twins are still only 1.5 games out and have a chance to get back to .5 with baker on the hill tomorrow, and are also only 1 game out of the wild card.
Well, i guess Ramirez is not coming here…..time for plan B
Ramirez, Bay, Hermida? Blech. I wouldn’t want any of them.
thrylos where are you getting your info that the trade for manny is complete? i still see that it’s still in the works and will probably go until tomorrow.
The commish should’ve been brought in before this to tell Manny to shut up and play or else forfeit his 08 salary.
Well, precedent set. If you want out, just dog it and you’ll get your way.
Ramirez, Bay, Hermida? Blech. I wouldn’t want any of them.
Then you’re not too bright.
thrylos is Manny’s barber
eaa-I not fair to imply that BS is the worst GM in baseball All GM’S hands are tied because of the Pohlads.All free agents moves and are a case of money(ie,you have a hole at third,how does A-ROD suit you?)The all time move in this regard(The Yanks wanted to upgrade RF for their playoff push 2 or 3 years ago(how does Abrau(sp) and his zillion dollar salary suit you?)The Twins get stuck with Monroe,Ponson,White,Lamb and so on,because they won;t put out the big bucks.Any FO that got Shooter Hunt for a sandwich pick for Torri can’t be that bad!
“the Manny trade is done:”
Everyone deals but the Twins. Maybe they’ll do a salary dump tomorrow.
whale,
it will be announced tomorrow after Selig wakes up from his beauty sleep.
The only things that need to be clarified are the names of the prospects.
where are you getting your info
little birdie emailed me…
Someone please explain this:
Breslow has a 2.13 ERA, RH are hitting .192 gainst him, yet we are trotting out the Bass Can to pitch meaningful innings on a near daily basis?
Well, I hope the Sox are happy. Manny will be in pinstripes about a week after the 08 season ends.
Las Vegas, I’ve asked that to myself for weeks.
So just out of curiosity…how have Abreau and A-Rod worked out for the Yankees?
They’ve beein two more posteasons than the Twins have since 2002, and I think just as many World Series?
Well okay, maybe one.
Any volunteers to deliver Smith’s pillow note?
I’m 165 miles away….
whale it was posted on mlbtraderumors a little more than an hour ago
T,
that Abreu deal was a steal:
Abreu and Cory Lidle for Matt Smith, C.J. Henry, Carlos Monastrios, and Jesus Sanchez.
if the Twins could pull one of those…
T,
It’s worked out pretty well for them. It should have been better but a-rod played like i-rod in the playoffs and goofed everything up.
my prediction before tomorrow:
twins get rich aurilia, tyler walker from giants for boof bonser and a no name prospect. they’ll cut everett and aurilia will take harris’ spot as the RH 3B while harris will play everyday SS and punto everyday 2B. they will also call up liriano to make friday’s start in cleveland while moving livan to the bullpen. so that subtracts everett and boof for aurilia and walker. i would think liriano would be called up and bass sent packing.
i know that’s not what everyone wants, but it’s around what’s going to happen. beltre aint comin, either is roberts, get over it.
Matt,
just checked the mlbtraderumors and they are stuck at the Gammons’ yack regarding Manny. Where did you see it?
Well, final hours for the deals without players clearing waivers first. Will Seattle get anxious enough for prospects that we can get Beltre for none of our young SPs?
I have a feeling Bill is going to make us all very happy over night. But, then, that’s just the way I think (despite overwhelming previous experience to suggest otherwise).
BC Beneke-I agree with your post at 2am that Beltre or Blalock is enough of a upgrade for the future to make a trade.Could LaROUCHE be enough of a upgrade to pull the trigger?
So just out of curiosity…how have Abreau and A-Rod worked out for the Yankees?
Yankee pitchers ERA past two post seasons: 5.89 & 5.56.
If only Abrea and Rodriguez could pitch.
I live in Bills neighborhood, but we already don’t see eye to eye. In fact I think he wants to trade me for a neighbor to be named later.
whale,
that scenario would mean that at least 2 more players other than everett need to be cut to make up the roster spots…
BTW, why was the crowd noise so blasted high tonight on the FSN broadcast?
They break the record last night. Tonight, they do it like amateurs.
Bert: Livan just didn’t have it tonight
like alot of other nights
Oh I know in the regular season A-Rod and Abreau were awesome aquisitions. But my question was if just GETTING to the postseason 4 out of 6 years isn’t enough, then how have the Yankees (with their bottomless payroll) faired any better than the Twins?
They haven’t won any World Series since 2002 either…right?
thrylos…
aurilia for everett
walker for boof
liriano for bass
3 additions, 3 subtractions.
Blaylock is on the DL. Twins may have dodged a bullet there (trade for a guy and a day later *pfft* he’s injured)
whalefeet…If it happens your way that would exceed my expectations.
They haven’t won any World Series since 2002 either
last time I checked, the Twins haven’t won a world series since 1991 and the yankees won how many since then?
“…to trade me for a neighbor to be named later.”
Ha! Then he IS a trader.
yeah, i mean at first i thought, “aurilia, NO that’s stupid”. but then i thought about everett being in an actual game. bring on aurilia.
walker is good, i’ve always liked him. he has a nasty split. i live in San Francisco so i watch him pitch and he’s got good stuff, but a horrible pitching coach.
Bert: Livan didn’t kill anyone tonight
Oh F**K, we’re live?
I’m sorry.
Walker can be ok… but I still think that Guerrier is better for the 8th inning.
The comparison between the Yankees and Twins lack of post-season success is completely misguided. Yes, NY has shown us that you can’t buy a WS, but at the same time, NY management is always will to attempt to make moves to improve the club during the (off)season.
The Twins tacitly hide behind the media and fan’s low-expectations for success as a reason not to make a move(s). Sure, every season for the past decade has been a “success” when you’re predicted to finish 4th or worse.
But the fact remains, the Twins front office never pulls the trigger, and we are always a bat/arm short of making noise in the post-season.
“to trade me for a neighbor to be named later.”
If the neighbor TBN later is Pamela Anderson, he is wasting his time in baseball.
guerrier’s earned his 8th inning role. i’ve only seen him blow it in the 8th once or twice, and both were away against the red sox and tigers i believe. there could be more. walker would be an upgrade over boof, that’s for sure. this better happen, bill! you have to do SOMETHING.
T-Go ahead and Cherry-pick the lack of playoff success when the point was that the amount of money determines the success or failure of off-season and trade line aquisitions.Typical response that’s far too common on these Twins blogs!
how ironic would it be to ship bonser back to san francisco.
Excluding Stewart, can someone please list all the moves we’ve made at the deadline since ‘02? Off the top of my head, I can name Boone and Nevin. Excellent choices btw.
Luis Castillo for Martin/Butera 2007.
Who’s cherry picking GENO? The two players mentioned were specifically Abreu and A-Rod.
And even with Cashman’s ability to freely go out and aquire whoever he wants…and the bottomless payroll…the Yankees STILL haven’t won a World Series.
Payroll helps, but it certainly isn’t everything. Boston is a better example of money and smarts combining to produce a quality team.
yeah the twins aren’t known for making deadline moves. they aren’t really known for making ANY moves, for that matter. but i don’t understand all the hate for the castillo trade. his legs were bugging him everyday, and he was on the downside big time. now look at him. they thought casilla could come up and do what he’s doing this year.
*since 2002
Gotta be sure to throw that one in.
bill smith showed he is not terry ryan when he made the delmon move though, we’ll see what he’s got by time tomorrow’s over. but i think aurilia’s coming, for sure. there’s no reason for the giants to keep him, and there’s no reason for the twins to put adam everett on the field ever again.
A:
Romero and Lohse were both dealt at the deadline (one of which brought back Casilla)
Doug was traded for Justin Jones, which made room for Justin to take over as the everday 1B.
i don’t normally talk negative about players because they’re doing a whole lot more than me on the field, but speaking from the mind of any general manager with common sense, everett, boof, and livan need to be removed from their current situations.
Again, the point with NY and teams like NY is the attempt to improve their team. There are so many factors that go into winning a WS, e.g. luck, (lack of) injuries, chemistry, etc. that of course trades and signings alone won’t secure anything.
But at the same time, if a team consistently won’t pull the trigger because they don’t want to jeopardize the future, well, you get the Twins, who again, are always a bat/arm short of having post-season success.
A says it perfectly, The Twins tacitly hide behind the media and fan’s low-expectations for success as a reason not to make a move(s). Sure, every season for the past decade has been a “success” when you’re predicted to finish 4th or worse.
But the fact remains, the Twins front office never pulls the trigger, and we are always a bat/arm short of making noise in the post-season.
This is where Twins fans fail and need to rise up in numbers for change, maybe we can bring in Obama for a fiery front office speach “it is our TIME, our time to make history, our time to let go of failed past non-moves and reach beyond or limited space in life to truly make a difference and inspire the great paying men, women and childeren of this great state…..That might do it…does anybody know Obama well enough to get him with our FO.
I threw that in there because that’s when the Twins started their “run” which every MN front-office sympathizer likes to compare with NY (and the like).
the yankees are overrated.
Like I said earlier today…it’s the end of the world when the Twins lose, and when they win the end of the world is just around the corner.
It’s funny to see people accuse the Twins of hiding behind low expecations when they themselvse voice nothing but low expecations and bitter resentment time and time again.
Here’s a thought, stop watching the games on TV. Stop coming to these blogs to talk Twins. Stop going to the dome and stop listening on the radio.
You can whine on the ‘Net all you want. But if they’re truly as greedy as you claim they won’t care until you hit them in the wallet…which is the only place that matters to them.
Peace out.
the twins don’t make moves because, realistically, their farm system has been deprived of multiple top prospects for the last few years. you can’t go out and get a big bat or big arm if you don’t have anything to trade. they don’t like parting with good young starting pitching, and i think that’s a wise philosophy. you can NEVER have enough pitching.
and the tiggers game continues
Yeah! A’s right!
Seriously Shawn?
Wow…
“we are always a bat/arm short of making noise in the post-season.’
Riiight!
The “bat” is Albert Pujols and the “arm”
is Josh Beckett.
No, make that TWO bats and THREE arms!
A,
slim pickings. Here is the list and I hope I am not forgetting anyone. Excluding Stewart, since 2002:
2002:
July 12, 2002: Traded Brian Buchanan to the San Diego Padres for Jason Bartlett.
2003:
June 10, 2003: Signed James Baldwin as a Free Agent.
2004:
August 31, 2004: Traded B.J. Garbe to the Seattle Mariners for Pat Borders
2005:
July 11, 2005: Claimed Bob Boone from the Seattle Mariners
2006:
August 31, 2006: Got Phil Nevin from the Chicago Cubs with cash for Adam Harben
whale, I think the problem is less that they’re hoarding and more that they’re actually short on pitching now. (At least starters)
Boof’s struggled, Livan is Livan. They have Liriano…but then if they go with that next year, is anybody confident that they’ve got support in AAA ready if somebody gets hurt?
thrylos, you’re leaving the Lohse, Romero, and Dougie trades.
How can our whole roster be loaded with crap, but we’re only a bat or an arm short?
the bat everyone wants, is adrian beltre. the M’s aren’t giving up beltre for anything short of span, one of our 4 young starters, and another prospects. does that seem absurd to anyone else? what other bats are on the market? you have to be realistic before you make accusations that the twins won’t go out and get a big bat.
oooo a move on my 30th birthday
don’t remember the move either
“July 11, 2005: Claimed Bob Boone from the Seattle Mariners”
That better be Brett Boone or its our worst deal ever! Bob Boone was about 50 yrs-old.
We’ve already hit them with our wallets with the new park. I’m asking for a little down paymnet, a little something for our efforts….not much but just enough to tease us.
robertson, duensing, manship, mulvey, shooter hunt now. all young starters that will be making their move up in the next couple years, that others would want. swarzak looked interesting for awhile, but who knows what’s going on with him. anyone i’m forgetting?
T,
those where sending people out vs. bringing people who could help the team to contend type of deals.
throw the above names with perkins, blackburn, baker, liriano, and slowey and that’s a hoard of good young starters that not many in the majors (maybe the rays or a’s) can match. someone correct me if i’m wrong.
i’m not really bummed about this loss by the twins. i figured they’d take 3 out of 4, and they have a good shot with baker on the hill tomorrow.
We should see what we need to give up to get Street, both to boost our bullpen and to keep him from going to Chicago
Liriano for Livan is 80% of the solution. We can find a trade to improve the remaing 20%.
t-while you are throwing things in,how about addressing the part of the post that stated getting Shooter Hunt for a sandwich pick shows that BS can’t be the worst GM.
whalefeet,
i think you are grossly overrating Duensing, Manship and Mulvey (and maybe Robertson). IMO all of those are matched and surpassed by many in other organizations.
I do like our five MLB starters plus Hunt and Mike McCardell, but all minor leaguers are a crap shoot, I guess.
sane,
some of our prospects are overrated, some underrated… lemme put you on the spot :
who has better stuff now
Slama or Bass?
How can they be deadline trades if they were made in early July or August?
well maybe i am, because i’m just looking at stats, but it seems like the twins have more quality than any other system except for maybe the A’s and Rays. guerra could be added becuase he is all about potential.
bonser and a prospect for aurilia and walker. bass for liriano. it’s that simple.
thrylos98,
“who has better stuff now
Slama or Bass?
Thats easy.
Anthony Slama in a landslide!
His numbers get better and better as his playing level gets higher and higher.
I am not objective, because I coached him, but I’m sure I gave you the correct answer.
Just blogged about some trade updates….
thrylos,
From this weeks Baseball America.
Righthander Anthony Slama is proving that he can slam the door on opponents, while also proving that a low draft position doesn’t necessarily translate into a marginal professional career.
The 24-year-old, who was taken in the 39th round of the 2006 draft out of San Diego, had turned heads with a star turn this season at high Class A Fort Myers.
Through 35 relief appearances, Slama was 3-0, 0.71 with 19 saves, 84 strikeouts and just 15 walks in 51 innings. He led all minor league relievers with 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings, so it was no surprise that he played in the Florida State League all-star game.
“It obviously sends a message to the players drafted late that you don’t have to be a top selection to make an impact,” farm director Jim Rantz said. “There are a lot of players who were later-round picks and ended up having good major league careers.”
Or, as Slama said, “That goes to show you what a crapshoot the draft is.”
Slama originally attended UC Riverside, but he sat out his freshman year because of arm trouble, and then transferred to Santa Ana (Calif.) Junior College. He played there for two seasons before transferring to San Diego. The Twins drafted the 6-foot-3, 207-pound Slama in 2006, but signed him a year later as a draft-and-follow on June 4, 2007. That’s when Slama’s college career ended. His fastball hits the low 90s and he also works in a solid hard slider.
Being older than most players in high Class A, and performing so well this season, Slama seems like a strong candidate for a promotion to Double-A New Britain. The organization concurs, but there are extenuating circumstances for Slama’s stay in Fort Myers.
For one thing, the Miracle would have a hard time finding another closer. Promoting Slama “would kill that Fort Myers club,” Rantz said. “We’re trying to get guys some innings and spread it out a bit. But he is good enough to go to Double-A.”
sane,
I knew that you coached Slama, so that question was way loaded
that aside, I think that if the Twins replace Bass and Boof with Slama and Delaney, they would be way much better…
The current run didn’t really start in ‘02, but ‘01 when the Twins brought in Todd Jones and Rick Reed to try and put them over the hump, but ended up falling short.
Thrylos,
Thanks for the softball.
I hope my lack of objectivity wasn’t exposed. lol
sane,
it’s not a lack of objectivity, it is a matter of an educated opinion.
I think that you probably seen more of Slama than Gardy and ‘Andy’ and we’ve all seen Bass throwing garbage out there. I just wanted to emphasize an educated opinion. The only positive think about Bass from what I’ve seen, is his composure on the mount. Not many pitchers can blow a gum bubble after they floated one for a 3 run homer…
Is that guy part of Phi Slamma Jama!! I hope the twins stay in the race til the end-it makes the summer alot of fun picking up the paper or checking the net to see how they are doing-it is fun! Getting Cuddyer back healthy and Lairano are probably the best moves this team can make at this point. Too bad about Casilla, he was really playing well. I think Hernandez needs to be removed from the rotation, I was at the game last night and he was in trouble every inning. He just doesnt have much left, seems like a decent guy, but bottom line is he isnt pitching well at all.
The Strib reports the Tampa Bay Rays are interested in Monroe. What an opportunity for the Twins. They can get revenge on the Rays for the Garza fleece, by sending them Monroe. Do it!
