Wednesday pregame: Cuddyer taking swings
Posted on July 30th, 2008 – 3:29 PMBy Joe Christensen
Jayson Stark’s note that the Twins have been calling around, looking for a taker for Boof Bonser makes sense, considering the roster dilemma I explained in my last post. We have not heard anything about Rich Aurilia, however. Frankly, I’d be surprised if that happened.
Updates to come…
Update (3:48 p.m.): Michael Cuddyer has stepped into the batting cage on the field for early batting practice. This is a significant development.
Heard in the clubhouse yesterday that Cuddyer might try to get out on a rehab assignment by Friday with an eye toward returning to the Twins during next week’s road trip.
I didn’t think that was possible, but he is out there swinging now with decent authority.
Update (3:55 p.m.): The Tigers traded Pudge to the Yankees for RHP Kyle Farnsworth. The path to LaTroy Hawkins just got easier for the Twins.
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.
63 Responses to "Wednesday pregame: Cuddyer taking swings"
Has there been any talk about Hughes being brought up now with Casilla down…frankly, the way the call ups have played this year, I would rather take a chance with him than with Everett
Wow Pudge to the Yankees. What does that say about Detroit?
Pudge to the yanks for farnsworth!!!! haha detriot.
get used to this line up
The Twins appear to be a much better team without Cuddyer in the lineup. He is vastly over-rated and should be traded.
Pudge hasn’t palyed much anyway… this opens the Twins up for getting Hawk if they want him.
Hughes can’t play MLB-level infield defense - yet!
I’d package Cuddyer, Punto, Bonser, Everett, and Lamb for new sod for the new stadium.
neither can Everett!!
Cuddyer is sluggish, clumsy, self-interested, and frequently strikes out with runners in scoring position. I think the Twins organization realizes they made a big mistake by signing him to a long term contract. Cuddyer talks a better game than he plays. Lets hope the Twins can dump him off before the trade dealine. Young, Gomez and Span make up a much faster and better lineup. Cuddyer is heavy baggage weighting down the team. In other words, he is an over-rated bum.
Sane:
Hughes can’t play MLB-level infield defense - yet!
And neither can Macri at AAA.
Cuddy ain’t going anywhere. Are you kidding? He’s such a great guy and he does great magic tricks. Great guys who can do magic tricks have special no trade clauses in their contracts.
“Wow Pudge to the Yankees. What does that say about Detroit?”
Nothing really. They needed bullpen help and got a decent arm, since they have more then enough offense Pudge was someone they could afford to trade. He isn’t the gold glove defender he use to be either.
I agree that Vavra and Gardenhire are doing more harm than good for the team. Span is an outstanding hitter, no thanks to Vavra, but given enough time for Vavra to mess with Span’s head, Span will not reach his full potential. Vavar thinks he has the answer to everything about hitting. The team would be better off just giving the hitters a chance to hit the way they have found to be best for them- and their averages will improve. As far as Gardenhire goes, he is simply an overweight bum who knows nothing about statistics and who always finds a way to help the team lose.
Aurilla?!?!?!
I am hoping Styark is kidding
Kent…that is one of the most horrible postings I have seen today.
For the last time…Cuddyer can’t be traded while on the DL (without special permission from the commissioner.)
kent that was funny. The players are good INSPITE of all the instruction they have received. LOL.
Kent…I mean about your Gardenhire opinion…
kent is part of the multiple personalities group Herb and friends
Pudge to Yankees
Nobody would want Cuddyer anyways, especially with that contract.
wow and folks thought I was cranky this morning.. you rubes make me look like Mary Poppins on laughing gas!!!
Thankyou for the late breaking news pudge… could you “break some news” now and say that Nady has been traded to the Yankees?… GEEEEZ
“Nobody would want Cuddyer anyways, especially with that contract.”
Exactly.
Gardenhire is responsible for the injuries suffered by players diving head first into bases. As a do nothing type of manager, he simply lets them injure themselves without correcting them. I know he doesn’t understand statistics, but he should be able to count the number of players that have had injuries due to head first dives into bases this season. Maybe he is suffering from memory loss from his drinking, and he doesn’t remember the last person who had an injury from head first sliding.
I think I just heard that the Twins got Shannon Stewart for Bobby Kielty! Great!
Casilla hurt his hand sliding in FEET first. That dang Gardy better just tell them not to slide anymore. No more sliding Twins it’s too dangerous.
Babe Ruth to NYY to fund “No No Annette”
Kent, Gardy does not run or slide into bases. But if you really think that Gardy controls them on the bases then go ahead and believe that. I can picture Gardy with a little remote control moving guys around being ‘responsible’ for them. Sheesh..
You guys stop picking on Gardy. The poor guy is stressed enough as it is with his weight problem and the rumors about him and Punto. Give the guy a break and just enjoy the games. Baseball is supposed to be fun, not second guessing the manager all the time.
Cortisone is a beautiful thing.
If the Yankees traded Farnsworth, don’t they need another arm in the BP?
If that is the case, wouldn’t they lean towards keeping Hawkins?
Kent, did you watch the game where Casilla injured the hand on a feet first slide?
The only trade Bill Smith is working on is whether to trade his turkey bacon club sandwich for a pastrami on rye.
I still don’t see any great deal to be had out there. Some help for second(if Casilla is out for awhile) maybe and some bullpen help but no one available intriuges me much.
Wally. Your wrong about Cuddyer. He is a solid player when healthy. And a healthy Michael Cuddyer could really help this team. Espcically against lefty’s. The last thing he is, is self interested. He’s a great guy to the fans and in the clubhouse. Get off his back.
kent, i’ve haven’t seen such ignorant posts in a long time. you have zero idea of what vavra is teaching anyone. what proof do you have that he’s done “harm” to span or anyone else for that matter? he’s been around for 3 years and provided a good offensive group in 2 of those years, while working with very little talent. i’m not saying he’s a magic man, but deserves a fair share of credit. the fact that gardy has won 4 division titles in 6 years speaks alot as well. lastly, gardy doesn’t dive into the bases himself and has routinely spoken out against diving into bases headfirst. i’m not sure that you’ve ever even watched the twins, but it would be appreciated if you’re going to try and make conversation on this blog
Obviously, Gardenhire is responsible for the multitude of hand injuries that Twins players have incurred, right, kent? That would explain why these hand injuries have all happened this year, and that there is no historical trend of an above-average amount of hand injuries for our team. You’re right, that doesn’t sound like a fluke at all.
HOw can Gardy be a “do nothing Manager,” when he has guided a team to .5 games of first place in July when no one thought they had a chance this year? Warts and all, and he does have some, 1 losing season in six years is pretty good if you ask me. There are reasons that the Twins are constant overachievers and the influence of Gardy can’t be overlooked.
The Yankees got Marte, making Farnsworth expendable.
BRING UP FL, PUT PERKINS IN THE PEN, HE CAN PITCH THE 6TH, 7TH AND 8TH IF NEEDED. TRADE BOOF FOR ANYTHING OR SEND REYES TO AAA.
HAWK THROWS AN 96 MPH STRAIGHT FASTBALL. ONCE THERE GONE LEAVE THEM GONE.
wonder if coomer could come out of retirement and play 3b, he used to be a yankee you know. i don’t think he’d slide (or bounce) head first either.
The fans in KC feel that Liriano and Gomez are expendable excess that the Twins would willingly part with. They think that the Twins have Span to play CF, and plenty of pitching. They are upset with their GM, that he hasn’t traded Grudzielanek for Gomez and Liriano.
“They are upset with their GM, that he hasn’t traded Grudzielanek for Gomez and Liriano.”
Now that is funny. It’s just about how Twins fans sound when they say trade Livan and Boof for Beltre. Every fan base wants to trade their junk for some other team’s studs. I wouldn’t mind getting Grudz(if Casilla is out for awhile) but I wouldn’t give more than an A baller for him.
gobble,
i don’t think coom could slide, he’d roll
has anyone heard anything on the status of casilla? out for the year, 2 weeks, a month? the fact that we’re out there looking for another 2b, makes me think it’s pretty serious
Bill Brasky is an idiot.
Punto batting second again.
Is this really something we’re okay with?
Dave T,
When the Yankees got Marte, it made Hawkins expendable (hence the DFA), now they traded Farnsworth.
So unless my math is off, they are one arm short in the BP. Are the going to call up someone from AAA or cancel Hawkins DFA?
I wouldn’t mind having the “Hawk” back for a second go-around.
When Cuddyer stepped into the batting cage to take swings, Monroe stepped into his clubhouse cubicle to update his resume. (reh-zoom-ay)
yeah sane, cause Cuddy has really showed off this season with his 3 HR in 234 at-bats.
jason,
If you are betting that Monroe outlasts Cuddyer as a Twin you are ON! for 5 (or 5 million) imaginary intenet dollars.
Since I couldn’t spell internet correctly, that wager is not valid!
Jeeze!
I’m backing out of a bogus bet for imaginary dollars!
How committed (and pathetic) is that?
Does anyone know what the pitching matchup looks like for tonight
“Does anyone know what the pitching matchup looks like for tonight”
Are you asking who is pitching for the two teams tonight, or how each matches up against the other team?
The reason the Twins are shopping Bonser is to make room for Liriano, not to make room for Hawkins. Face it, Liriano is a better pitcher than Hawkins. If the Twins go after Hawkins, it would be after he clears waivers. They won’t pay Craig Monroe dollars for a stiff. Oh, wait, they already are. OK, They won’t pay that twice.
“yeah sane, cause Cuddy has really showed off this season with his 3 HR in 234 at-bats.”
And Monroe has shown off this season with a .274 on base percentage and 48 strike outs in 179 plate appearances.
If I didn’t know better, and I read this blog I would think the Twins were below .500 and floundering. LOL
We don’t need Hawk or any stinking trades!!!
The path to LaTroy Hawkins just got easier for the Twins
that is a scary thought…
Opponents OPS this year:
Guerrier: .680
Hawkins: .725
Street: .691
methinks that Guerrier should be the set up man
Livan is a batting practice pitcher
