Monday morning update
Posted on November 24th, 2008 – 9:23 AMBy Joe Christensen
Happy Monday morning. In case you missed it, I wrote a Sunday column designed to get people up-to-speed on offseason developments around the division. Here are some leftover notes from the weekend:
(*) Baseball America is scheduled to reveal the Twins’ Top 10 prospects on Tuesday, and I’m always anxious to see that. Last year, the well-respected magazine had some of us scratching our heads when it named Nick Blackburn as the Twins’ No. 1 prospect, but that sure looks smart a year later.
(*) For what it’s worth, insiders tell me the Twins had strong interest in reliever Jeremy Affeldt before he signed his two-year, $8 million contract last week with the Giants. Affeldt lives in Spokane, Wash., and has worked out with Twins catcher Mike Redmond.
Affeldt was a Type B free agent, so the Giants won’t lose any draft picks, but the Reds will get an supplemental round pick for losing him.
I’ve been told it’s highly doubtful the Twins will sign a Type A free agent, which would cost them their first-round draft pick next June, though they have checked into some of the Type A relievers and are in a “Never say never” mode.
(*) The Twins did have a scout see 19-year-old Cuban 3B Dayan Viciedo at a recent workout before he signed his $11 million deal with the White Sox. It sounds like he’s a big-time talent, though only the most optimistic reports have him making a big contribution in 2009.
107 Responses to "Monday morning update"
Joe, have the Twins ever lost a draft pick for a free-agent signing? I can’t recall it happening. Might be fun sometime to research which teams have lost the most draft picks from signings since compensation was given.
joe, I liked the article. It was nice to get an update. Thanks,
No way they sign a type A free agent. This is the Twins we are talking about. If they do give up a first round pick to sign a relief pitcher, I’ll be less than impressed with their decision making (especially as that implies Humber and Mulvey just aren’t that good - and the Santana trade looks even worse).
Yeah, a 3B like that guy from Cuba would have to be helpful NOW to be worth anything (to the Twins). Otherwise they’d basically be setting themselves back with another young guy they’re “waiting to develope”.
Just sign Blake, and keep an ear to the ground for a younger guy to become available. Perhaps the Mariners stop acting stupid and Beltre becomes available or something…
But I still think Blake would be a great help. A 20+ HR bat at 3B? When’s the last time the Twins had that? Koskie?
I’m glad to hear the Twins were looking at Viciedo. The Sox were a logical place for him to end up, so I don’t see them as having ’stole’ him or anything like that.
Any word on other Caribbean free agents the Twins are looking at? What about the plethora of Japanese pitchers looking to come over?
The Twins have always build through the draft,time to change course.With the abundance of outfield and pitching prospects in the system,start taking some chances to shore up the weakness on the left side of the infield and in the pen.
I am surprised to hear that they thought about affeldt. we have mijares and breslow? right??
but it does not surprise me that they did not sign him.
as far as the Viciedo kid goes. did anyone really think the twins would sign him? i certainly didn’t. we send scouts there to give the impression that we were interested.
even if he couldn’t help us next year. why not have a young power threat at 3rd when the new ball park opens..
all in all. no big surprises from the twins thus far.. typical offseason. pretty much what i expected
Joe,
Any word yet on Casey Blake signing with the Twins. I’m on pins and needles waiting to here something?????????
do the twins even have a 3rd baseman coming up that will be reay to play by 2010?
i assume not if we are looking at signing a 3rd baseman for 2-3 years.
and as far as not giving up a draft pick. we draft alot of high school kids.. those kids are 4-5 years away from maybe being able to contribute..
Baseball America is scheduled to reveal the Twins’ Top 10 prospects on Tuesday, and I’m always anxious to see that
Not many surprises there this year. Based on their articles about the 20 best prospects for each league in the minors where they ranked:
Aaron Hicks the Number 1 prospect in the Gulf Coast League,
Ben Revere (4th in the Midwest League)
Angel Morales (8th in the Appy League)
Wilson Ramos (8th in the Florida State League)
Denard Span (8th in the International League) and
Kevin Mulvey (12th in the IL)
I expect them to have those (minus Span who should not be in the list to begin with because he will not even be a rookie next season) in the top 5, with Hicks probably first.
The only think that happened between these lists and the teams’ top 10 lists was the AFL where Tolleson shined and Martin was also great, so I could potentially see those 2 snicking in the same way Blackie snicked in after his AFL performance last year.
If I were to guess how BA thinks… I would guess they’ll say:
1.) Hicks
2.) Ramos
3.) Revere
4.) Mulvey
5.) Swarzak
6.) Plouffe
7.) Valencia
8.) Morales
9.) Hunt
10.) Manship
And we’ll complain about Hughes and Gutierrez and Parmelee and McCardell and others. It’s always very interesting.
Seth,
they left Plouffe, Swarzak and Valencia out of their league top 20 lists so I don’t see them finishing higher than Ramos. They are pretty consistent and that wouldn’t be too consistent
Make that Morales… (need another cup of coffee here 
)
Guys, what’s the problem with having a bunch of guys in the system who are 4-5 years away from contributing? Aren’t you going to be a fan in 5 years?
Signing Blake (or any expensive old guy) for 3-4 years is a mistake when there are going to be guys coming up to replace him with cheap, exciting young-ness within a year or two.
Now is not the time for the Twins to “change course” and start going Yankees on free agency. Part of being a Twins fan is being excited by youth and enjoying the present while looking forward to the future. Casey Blake is not the future — Hughes or Valencia might be.
The Twins should absolutely not be willing to sacrifice their first round pick for a Type A free agent, especially in a year when they aren’t getting any in return from top free agents leaving.
as far as Dayan Viciedo goes, I think that the White Sox way overspent.
He is projected as a 1B/OF and there are a lot of question marks around him. Check this BA article here
Is Plouffe a candidate for 3B rather than SS? One would have to assume he’ll be ready for MLB in 2010 if he pans out at all.
sirsean,
Indeed it would not make sense for the Twins to “go Yankees” (or Tigers) in free agency. However, waiting for Godot to develop in the minors, while the talent in the bigs needs small supplementation to win the next 2-3 seasons does not make much sense either. Also, continuing to sign 3-4 mediocre free agents instead of 1 good free agent for the same money, is also bad.
Given that they have budgetary flexibility this year they should go and get a third baseman, a shortstop and a reliever in trades or free agency, but not mediocre retreat over the hill players.
Interesting why so many Twins fans want to spend $4-6mil/year for Casey Blake?
His glove isn’t any better than Harris or Buscher.
He strikes out almost as much as Gomez.
His career BA is only .264.
He hits around 20HRs/year if given 550ABs but has never come close to 100RBIs. Never even driven in 90RBIs.
That’s a lot of dough for another washed up veteran. (see Bautista, Monroe, White, etc….)
Kouzmanoff would be a better gamble…only because he is young and HAS an upside.
sirsean, this is a great line!!
“what’s the problem with having a bunch of guys in the system who are 4-5 years away from contributing? Aren’t you going to be a fan in 5 years?”
Plouffe is way overrated… In his best season in the minors he had an OPS of .736 (New Britain - 2007) and his career high in HRs was 13, in Beloit in 2005 when he had an OPS of .645. His MiLB career slash line is .255/.319/.380. Not sure that this is major league material.
There is a guy in the current team with a career MiLB slash line of .294/.359/.467 and single season MiLB HR high of 17, who is a better defender in SS and 3B than Plouffe. His name? Brendan Harris.
Plouffe is young but he is a slap hitter. Unless he develops power some way and really improves his play, I do not see him being more than a Harris in the majors.
thrylos98,
Were there any major differences in Harris’s numbers when he played 3B and when he played SS? SS seems to be his better position defensively. It seems to me that players usually don’t hit as well when they play out of position in the field.
MS,
You are stretching your credibility when you say that “Blake’s glove isn’t any better than Buscher”.
Unless you are literally speaking about his “GLOVE”. (Model A2000)
Plouffe doesn’t show much SS range either.
thrylos -
I don’t have any of those guys ahead of Ramos. The only one that I predicted BA having ahead of Ramos was Hicks.
The Twins like Plouffe a lot. He’s much better defensively at SS than Harris is, much more range, stronger arm. Has he hit homers? Not a lot, but he typically has hit a lot of doubles. We aren’t talking about a middle of the lineup hitter. I sitll see him as a SS.
The Twins can’t afford to sign some over the hill guy like Blake. If the asking price for Atkins is too high then pusue a SS. Please for the sake of ALL the fans(even the ones who don’t now better) don’t bring in anymore over the hill free-agents!PLEASE!! Bring Punto back to play short and let Tolbert Harris and Buscher handle third if you can’t bring in a young right handed power hitter for one of those positions! Then we can all blame DY if there’s still no right handed power in the line-up. Bringing Blake back just rubs salt in an old wound and would remind us everyday that he could have played for us in his prime.
why do you guys keep comparing blake to the other ‘washed up’ guys we’ve brought in? Lamb was the only guy i was real disappointed about, the others we saw coming (Bautista, Everett, Monroe, etc although they did contribute once in awhile).
Blake is a solid veteran, 80 RBI’s would put him in top 3 or 4 on the team already, 20 HR’s makes him 3rd, he won’t cost more than 5 (MAYBE 6) mill per year, and they can work in an option 3rd year. He’s in great shape, very durable, his glove is light years ahead of Buscher and only a tad behind Harris (who should be at SS anyway). I foresee at least 2 more years out of him and if he’s healthy a 3rd, which is just about right.
If we sign him, either try and trade for a decent SS or move Harris over to SS and let him start and try and trade for a top flight reliever instead. this team can get it done next year.
To add to that, we need to make a serious run at Hardy. guy is electric and i can see a lineup like this
Span
Mauer
Morneau
Hardy
Cuddy/Kubel
Young
Blake/Harris
Casilla
Gomez
That is an awesome lineup. i think we could go far with it.
buscher’s problem isn’t his glove but his lack of range and what he does with the ball when he does catch it.
does anyone think jack wilson could help at ss?
“does anyone think jack wilson could help at ss?”
Not even a little bit.
If the Twins signed Blake, I’m guessing he wouldn’t be on the Twins roster by mid-season 2010. There has to be better options.
MS,
If you compare 3B targets, I think you have to separate the free agents from the players signed with other teams. A free agent has the added value of not having to give up other players for him. So, compare Blake to other FA 3B.
Michael Cuddyer is the co-host on XM Radio from noon to 2 this afternoon, and it sounds like the next couple of days.
Seth,
Hear any more about the Cards or Phillies pursuing Punto?
seth what do you think the options are at ss? hardy and ecobar if available will be expensive, lillibridge cheaper and not proven, greene is a big?? wilson better fielder than harris but not the bat, furcal 12m yr, can’t see that.
resign everett?
punto?
if furcal signs with a’s do you take a flyer on crosby? doesn’t he have a big contract and only plays part time?
Anybody see that the Rays left Morlan unprotected in the Rule V? did he have a big drop off this year?
on xm175 cuddy basically stated for about the 100th time that he won’t be playing 3rd
In case you wanted to know ahead of time, my buddy gets the Baseball America magazine and mentioned 7 out of the top 10 Twins prospects.
1. Hicks
2. Revere
3. Ramos
4.
5. Swarzak
6. Hunt
7. Mulvey
8. Valencia
9.
10.
sorry I’m missing a couple, but he couldn’t recall who they were off hand. No Duensing, Humber, or Guerra, interesting. sorry to spoil most of the drama.
Walter - Those were just some rumors I saw… it’s hard to make too much of either of them. I think that he could get significant playing time in St. Louis, and could play a lot in Philly with the Utley and Feliz injuries.
Gobble - I’m still standing by my Ronny Cedeno goal for SS. Escobar would be wonderful. He’d be #1 on the list, but not at the price he’d likely cost. Hardy… eh. Furcal… no thank you… too much money, too many years, too many injuries. Crosby… ick.
Patrick - I think I saw that somewhere…
Shawn - but you said it very nicely and politically correctly.
After stating for the 100th time that he wouldn’t be playing 3B, Cuddy should close the show with a magic trick and make himself disappear.
Jon - They’ll have Plouffe in there, I think, and probably Carlos Gutierrez… I wonder if they’ll keep Joe Benson in there, despite a tough year, he was their #2 guy last year.
Seth,
I believe you are correct on both. Like I said, my buddies a Mets fan and couldn’t remember 3 out of the 10.
Adam can’t find the plate Harben is a minor league free agent. Rehabbed ok from TJ surgery. Interesting to see if the Twins bring him back…
I’d bet Baseball America a 10-year renewal of my subscription that Joe Benson won’t make it to MLB ahead of Delaney, Slama and Tolleson.
They almost have to have Morales since they picked him as the 8th best prospect in the Appy league a month or so ago. He might be #4 actually…
sane,
that’s a good bet. I bet that Hicks and Revere will make it after the other 3 you mentioned, as well.
Here is a Q&A from last week that cmathewson had with John Manuel from Baseball America (http://www.twinkietown.com/2008/11/11/658519/exclusive-q-a-with-john-ma).
I think some of our assumptions can be verified from it.
In it, he says he’s not quite ready to put Morales up that high…
and this is Baseball America, they are all about the tools, moreso than the production…
seth cedeno seems to be part of every speculated cubs trade. what would it take to get him?
thrylos,
IMO Hicks and Revere will make it to MLB sooner or later.
Benson may never make it, as he has a long way to go in his development as a hitter.
So out of the top 10 prospects how many will be invited to spring training next year and who has the best chance of sticking with the team?
[…] Around the Majors – […]
BCofND,
My guess as the best chance of sticking from the “top ten prospects is Swarzak or Mulvey.
I think all the rest OF THE TOP TEN PROSPECTS are at least a year away.
Delaney and Tolleson are also close, but are probably not “top ten prospects”.
rereading that Q&A, I think Jose Mijares is likely to be in there somewhere too. and I think he’ll come to spring training with a chance to help the team. Wilson Ramos will obviously be at spring training since he was put on the 40 man roster.
Re: Cedeno:
I just don’t get all the love for a career .252/.289/.350 hitter in the majors who made 23 errors in SS in his only full time season there. Frankly, I’d rather see Adam Everett back. His bat is nearly identical (.246/.298/.355) and is a much better fielder.
I neglected Mijares as a top-10 prospect, because I consider him as the Twins returning set-up man.
The reason I brought up Plouffe’s name earlier is because, while he remains high in the prospect rankings, it’s impossible to find a nice word about him. The new poster boy for the Denard Span Memorial No Respect Club?
bird,
Span is an example of why a prospect is a prospect.
A light could go on for Plouffe at any time, just as it did for Span.
Plouffe will always have a strong arm and if he starts to hit more often with more power, suddenly the Twins will have something.
I’m surprised no one has Steven Tolleson on any of there prospect lists he’s done very well in the AFL.
the twins are in “never say never” mode,let me say it for them NEVER. being a twins fan is like being on welfare at christmas.you ask for the nikes,the levis,and mongoose bike,but you get the prowings,the wranglers,and the hand me down huffy with the banana seat
I heard Giambi, Dunn, and Burrell are decent “prospects”…. maybe we should go ahead and just give them a shot instead of waiting for these other guys?
(Pardon my stupid joke)
Everyone knows everthing about everyone. Funny. I at least admit, to quote Clint Eastwood’s last line closing the movie PERFECT WORLD…”I don’t know one damn thing.”
I’m surprised no one has Steven Tolleson on any of there prospect lists
Tolleson was 19th in Seth’s prospect list and 17th in Sickel’s list and I would bet would be ranked in Gleeman’s list when he gets it out.
The Giants just signed Rentaria to a 2 year/ $18 Mil contract, so the FA market will go through the roof recession/depression or not…
I still haven’t heard anything on the Twinkies picking up Blake. No Manny going anywhere or Big Tex (Boston probably)
I’d probably move Tolleson up a couple spots based on his bat in the AFL, although small sample and a hitters league and he’s already 25 and hasn’t played at AAA and his defense wasn’t terribly impressive at SS… I think upper-teens is about right.
That isn’t to say he can’t be a solid big league contributor.
Thanks thrylos i was just looking at his AFL leage stats and he hit like .385 and i know ive seen Seth write about him several times and i was just surprised that he wasn’t in the top ten.
Seth is SS his natural place because they have him as a 2B in the AFL.
The Twins aren’t going after any type A free agents? That is so unusual.
“Seth is SS his natural place because they have him as a 2B in the AFL.”
In New Britain this year, he played a lot of 2B and SS in the first half. Brian Dinkelman came up in the second half, so Tolleson didn’t play much 2B in the second half. He actually played some out in CF due to injuries. He’s also DHd quite a bit.
As for the AFL, he pretty much only played SS. In fact, I don’t know if he played any 2B.
Natural position - I don’t know, most probably are SS naturally, but i’d consider Tolleson a 2B probably long-term.
My BA just came in the mail.
1. Hicks
2. Revere
3. Ramos
4. Mijares
5. Valencia
6. Swarzak
7. Hunt
8. Mulvey
9. Gutierrez
10. Morales
taht’s a fair list… I wouldn’t rank a reliever that high… he wouldn’t have been in the top 20 probably if he hadn’t pitched in 8-10 games, but oh well. Other than that, looks solid.
BC Beneke yes I am quite surprised with how low our payroll is this year and we have plenty of money just like in years past to pick up quality FA’s. Bill Hall will be this years FA acquisition. Whom else is out there that the Twins could use. John Rocker?
Somewhat typical Baseball America though with the list:
1.) The team’s three 1st round picks are all in the Top 10.
2.) 2007’s #1 and #3 picks are there.
Who are some players that are out there that we could see the Twins getting? Ruben Sierra still around? How about Matt Stairs?
Is there a player out there that would be a complete duplicate of LNP. Seth if Punto could do back flips and smile real huge would he be inducted into the HOF like Ozzie?
My final question for a bit.
1. Who is faster Chris Sabo or Willie McGee
2. Who is uglier Chris Sabo or Willie McGee
3. How old is Otis Nixon these day’s?
why does it make sense for the Twins to go out and sign big money players? Their payroll is down because so much of their payroll is in young players who by nature of their time in the league get what they get.
I get that the Twins payroll is lower than average (but just slightly below average), but they have come through in signing Mauer and Morneau and Cuddyer and Nathan long-term. I would expect they’ll lock up some of their current. They don’t have a lot of holes to fill, so why spend just to spend. I don’t get that mentality!
We need a Shortstop in the worst way for this team, or a 2nd baseman to move Casilla to the SS spot.
The payroll is low, and the opportunity to make money by spending money is huge. People don’t have the money to go out and do the things they are use to doing, and the Twins putting together a great product could get a greater chunk of the little discresionary cash out there.
Seth The Twins need’s which I see needing to be addressed are a s follows
3rd Base
DH
MR
JimmyBee…
Great moment in sports history… Howard Cossell calling Willie McGee “ET” McGee on the old Monday Night Baseball.
I agree Seth and with the economy the way it is small market teams need to be very careful. MLB has been enjoying a lot of success recently but that could all change in a heartbeat.
I agree with you BC 100%. I would like to see the Twins pickup one player of importance without it being a cheap used up has been.
I think the needs are
SS
Reliever
3B
GM
BC Beneke there was an NFL player named Merton Hanks who at one time I thought was Willie McGee’s long lost brother
I think it does make sense to go out and get both a 3B and SS… but it has to make sense on the field and in the budget. It makes no sense to offer Casey Blake a 3 year, $52 million contract just so that the Twins payroll moves up.
Seth do you know what next years payroll for the Twins will be and what we are at currently. Basically what I am asking is how much do the Twins have to spend left in there budget.
I don’t know what the payroll will be… Based on the big raises coming for Mauer, Morneau and Nathan, it will naturally be up at least $20 million.
kenny Williams is shopping Jermaine Dye. Hmmmm very interesting. Trade Span and Cuddy for him and a pitching prospect (Mulvey). 9.5 mill per/yr
Do you think Kenny Williams is likely to trade Dye to the Twins? Second, do you think that the Twins are going to send three players to the White Sox who will all contribute for them? The Twins can have Span for the next 5 years, or more. Mulvey for the next 6-7 years or more.
Someone else mentioned it:
Why not give Harris the 3B keys (his best hitting was as a 3B) and find a SS (Hardy, et al.)?
If all we’re looking for is a place holder for 2-3 yrs until prospects pan out, why not use someone we already are paying for (and gave up talent for in a trade)??
OR have Harris at 3B, Casilla at SS, and find a 2B (maybe Roberts)??
Jimmy Bee
You never trade for a guy in the division. The other team will always want more than the guy is worth.
Seth yes I know that a trade for in the same division is very unlikely. Especially a player of any value. It would be very fun to have the #2,3 and 4 hitters
look like this
LH Mauer
RH Dye
LH Morneau
New uniforms for Saturday’s home games next year
Is Dick wearing his “throwback” suit? And where are the stirrups?
instead of trading 3 guys for dye why not sign burrell and trade those guys for a ss?
I would like to see them sign Casey Blake, and then trade for JJ Hardy.
IF they can’t do that.
Sign Hudson to play 2nd Base (move Casilla to SS), and trade for Atkins.
Gutierrez and Valencia are reaches at this point in that list. I buy Hunt based on his performance in Elizabethton but was way over his head in Beloit.
Dan Osterbrock, a guy who had a phenomenal year (12.48 K/9, 13 K/BB, 1.08 in Elizabethton) for a starter in any level in any league for some reason is ignored.
I get the fact that BA (and scouts) are in love with their radar guns but one has at some point to put his tools into numbers in order to graduate from prospect to suspect.
Even if Dye were a free agent, he would have been a bad acquisition unless the Twins unloaded Cuddyer and Kubel and he were the full time DH. And Kubel next year will probably match Dye’s production next year. The guy is 35 and has no legs and has a nasty contract. He has Mets or Yankees or Phillies written all over him.
So far taken into account the raises of people with contracts (also assuming that Kubel will get an $1M raise and Guerrier a $500K raise in arbitration), what they still need to pay Lamb and the contracts off the books, the payroll sits at -$5 million from 2008.
I find it interesting that a lot of people think that:
a. Casilla is a sure thing based in practically a month and a half (May and June) of performance. He was bad in August and September and barely adequate in July. He finished the season with a .707 OPS. Below Harris, below Punto. Can he improve next year? Yes and maybe his decline was due to his injuries, but a sure thing he is not.
b. Have this conceptual construct that some time soon (a year or two) a savior from the minor leagues will come as a starting third baseman and his name would be Danny Valencia. Well, not sure about that. He has a lot of potential, sweet swing and a brilliant glove at moments, but never hit more than 17 home runs in a season nor slugged more than .505 in a season. To put things into perspective, Harris’ MiLB season career high in home runs is also 17 (but in AAA) and .535 in slugging. At age 22 (Valencia is 24) in New Britain, Cuddyer hit 30 home runs and slugged .560. I would suggest that people manage their expectations so they won’t be disappointed.
thrylos98,
So are you in the sign Blake and trade for Hardy camp? I’m sorry I know you’ve probably posted a few times what you think, but everyone’s ideas have blurred together for me. I would like to see them plunk down big money for a proven power bat (Burell) and maneuver things via trade or current roster for the infield.
What are you trying to do, thrylos, take all the fun out of it? I mean, if we can’t expect more than what is reasonable, how are we going to be disappointed so we can bitch incessantly about the fact that the player was always a bum?
in the sign Blake and trade for Hardy camp?
not really
I think that both of those moves might end up bad.
In my ideal world and (let me quote Prince for a second) I was dreamin’ when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray, the Twins would:
1. Trade Glenn Perkins, Brian Buscher and a prospect to the Cardinals for Troy Glaus, to the Astros for Ty Wigginton or to the Mariners for Adrian Beltre
2. Trade Trevor Plouffe and maybe another prospect to the Padres for Khalil Greene
3. Trade Alexi Casilla, Brian Duensing and Phillip Humber to the Marlins for Dan Uggla
4. Sign Pedro Martinez as the fifth starter
Everyone on this blog reinforces my earlier comment….Everyone knows Everything about Everyone. And it is funny. I admit, by quoting Clint Eastwood in the movie PERFECT WORLD…the last line to close the movie…”I don’t know one damn thing”.
Yeah:
Trade Buscher to the Cardinals. I real team. Get away from the dump a_ _ Twins.
A 3rd baseball in the minors ready in two years. Better think that again and go check them out…..
How bout trading Thrylos98!
DrDon/Topp Dog,
Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat.
DrDon,
“Everyone knows Everything”
If you want everyone to dumb it down for you, OK.
However, if you were forced to ask the faculty to dumb it down for you in med school, let us know before our next rectal exam.
Affeldt would’ve been a nice piece to add to the pen. Forgive me if I’m not sold on either Mijares or Breslow, particularly Breslow.
Why aren’t the Twins kicking the tires on Furcal? They’ve got the payroll room, and right now they don’t even have Punto on the roster. Who’s going to play SS next year?
Signing Furcal would allow them to use whatever trade pieces they decide are expendable on 3B and the bullpen. I don’t see why signing Furcal is a bigger risk than signing 35 year old Blake.
Never happen though. “Never say never,” except when you’re talking about the Twins actually spending money.
The problem with a trade is you have to give up something to get something else back. You fill in one hole while creating others. In the case of landing a stud 3rd baseman and/or a stud SS, it’s probably going to take at least two or three players each, with at least one in each case being a current starter - and most likely one of the better ones at that. Trade for one and you fill a hole, but you also potentially create two or three more. Trade for both and you potentially create up to six holes that will need to be filled.
Trading for a 3rd baseman AND a SS is just not a smart option.
I’m on the sign Blake and trade for a short stop bandwagon. I also think that there are some good bullpen arms to be had via free agency as well. I would definitely exhaust that route before exploring any kind of a trade for bullpen help as well.
Blake is a solid guy and at 35 has shown zero sign of decline. He’s always been a bottom third of the order hitter (that could explain the lower RBI totals), but I think he could do well hitting between Morneau and Kubel. I also think pitchers have a bit more respect for a vet like Blake than a youngster like Buscher or Harris or even Young or Kubel. Morneau should get better pitches to swing at and we should see his numbers a inch a bit closer to 2006 than 2007. Even if the dome or his age keeps Blake from hitting his usual 20 homers, he would still be worth it if his bat helps Morneau hit 30 dingers again. Even if he doesn’t bat 5th, I still feel that his bat will have a positive impact on anybody hitting before or after him in the bottom half of the order. That makes him a plus in my book, even if his numbers do drop off a bit.
Even if Beltre, Atkins or any of the other 3rd base names dropped were actually available (and I haven’t read one thing confirming that they are - just a lot of speculation and wishful thinking), they would cost plenty in trade. Each also comes with a huge downside and would practically guarantee Punto would be back as the full time SS. The team would probably also go into spring training with the bullpen issues unresolved. Read that last line as hoping to find a unsigned retread that has one good year left in their arm. I would still love to see Punto back, but in more of a utility role than as a starter.
As far as a trade for a short stop goes, I would be happy with just about any of the names regularly discussed on this and other Twins blogs. My hang up would be less who we got and more what we would have to give up to get one of them. I’m very high on all five of our starters and would be reluctant to trade any of them. Some of their ERA’s from last year left a little to be desired, but, if I remember correctly, all five had career highs in innings pitched. I suspect there were a lot more tired arms than many were willing to admit. Go back and check their monthly and 1st half/2nd half splits - we saw a lot of solid pitching for most of last season from those guys. At one point late in the season, all five starters had ERA’s under 4.00. It would be a shame to start the season with any question marks in the rotation. Not that I wouldn’t consider trading one of them, I would do so very reluctantly and I would be extremely stingy as to which one went and who else went with them.
As far as middle relievers go, like most I was a bit stumped. I hate to admit it but I would be hard pressed to name five bullpen guys who aren’t closers and have never played for the Twins. Much less, start naming stud right handers available via trade or free agency. What has me hopeful is that I may not have to. Check out ESPN.com’s archive for an article called “Stark Rumblings and Grumblings.”
According to the article, unlike past seasons, this year, there appears to be a glut of closers and/or FA pitchers looking to fill a closer’s role somewhere. There are maybe 5-6 teams realistically looking for a closer (8 max, but that is pushing it a bit) and about a dozen arms with 20 or more saves in either of the past two seasons looking to land the the jobs. Cruz and several others don’t look to be on any team’s short list either.
That means there are a lot of quality bullpen arms that are going to have to settle for a bit less than they hoped.
If I’m Smith, I approach Cruz and a few others. I point out that it’s a buyers market for closers this year. I add that, the team believes they are closer material, but they might fair much better as a free agent next year. Then I offer them the 8th inning role with the occasional save opportunity - on a team likely to be favored to win the AL central and see post season play. Make no bones that Nathan is our closer and will be getting the lion’s share of the opportunities. Maybe also add that it would also be nice to have somebody who could step into the closer’s role if Nathan should happen to get hurt. Pitch a one year deal with a player option for an additional year (with maybe a player and club option for a third). If the market for closers looks better next year, the player can opt out and test the waters with the team’s blessing. If not, they can exercise their option and be welcomed back in the same role with open arms.
I might be crazy, but it all feels very do-able. The team has the money and it has the players.
Yikes! That’s got to be my longest post ever! Sorry guys, Sammy Hagar can’t drive 55 and I guess I just can’t write 55 words or less - even to apologize for a long post.
Read the AFL boxscores every day and Tolleson played mostly at short. Do recall that he was at second only a couple games.
BA writeup on Aaron Hicks
Background: Hicks is a Los Angeles kid who doesn’t fit into preconceived stereotypes. He’s an African-American who spent much of the last three years playing at Major League Baseball’s Urban Youth Academy, becoming its highest-drafted alumnus when the Twins took him 14th overall in June. He’s also a scratch golfer who won a slew of tournaments as a teenager and considered a golf career. When he learned that his father played baseball professionally—Joseph Hicks was a Padres 12th-round pick in 1975 and played four seasons in the minors—he decided to focus his prodigious athletic ability on the diamond, helping Wilson High win the No. 1 national ranking and its first California Interscholastic Federation title in 50 years in 2007. Minnesota considered Hicks the best athlete in the 2008 draft, and he was the Los Angeles area’s best since Darryl Strawberry was the No. 1 overall choice in June 1980. While the Twins preferred Hicks as an outfielder, other clubs were prepared to take him in the first round as a pitcher after seeing his fastball range from 94-97 mph last spring. Minnesota has no reason to question its decision, as Hicks ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after signing quickly for $1.78 million.
Strengths: Sometimes it seems like there’s nothing Hicks can’t do. He’s a premium athlete with growing skills and true five-tool ability. He’s a switch-hitter who’s a natural from the right side and improved from the left by lowering his hands and unleashing his bat speed. He was more polished and selective at the plate in his debut than the Twins thought he might be, and his eye allowed him to get to his above-average power potential earlier than expected. He projects to hit 20-25 homers annually as he matures. Hicks has plus-plus speed and good baserunning instincts that should improve with experience. He glides to balls in the outfield and has a top-of-the-scale throwing arm that would play in any outfield spot or on the mound if necessary. In the unlikely event he doesn’t hit, he can try to make it as a pitcher.
Weaknesses: Mostly, Hicks just needs experience facing quality breaking balls. His hands are good enough that he should be able to trust them and stay back on pitches that spin. The game comes so easily to him that at time he has concentration lapses. He’s still learning to be a pro in terms of handling the grind of a long season, when to show he’s having fun and when to have more of a game face.
The Future: Hicks’ tools resemble those of departed Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, though he should move more quickly through the minors than Hunter did and have better plate discipline. Minnesota is deep in young outfielders in the majors and minors, but Hicks’ combination of tools, skills and athletic ability stands out. He’ll head to low Class A Beloit for his first full pro season and should make a steady climb to the majors, arriving in 2011.
