Twins explore international market for pitching help
Posted on December 19th, 2008 – 9:02 AMBy Joe Christensen
Three Twins topics from Thursday, and I wrestled with how to organize the news in today’s notebook, not wanting to over-hype the fact they’d expressed interest in Japanese pitchers Kenshin Kawakami and Koji Uehara.
So I gave top billing to Randy Ruiz signing a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays, followed by news of four minor-league signings by the Twins (Luis Matos, Sean Henn, Bob Keppel and Joe Gaetti).
If we had heard the Twins were deep into negotiations with one of the Japanese righthanders, that would have been the lead, but it only takes one phone call or one meeting with an agent to express interest.
To my knowledge, the Twins never have signed a Japanese player to a major league contract, though I know they had serious interest in Akinori Iwamura before he landed with Tampa Bay.
Kawakami, 33, probably will get a two-year, $10 million contract or 3/15 to be a starting pitcher somewhere. Right now, the Twins don’t need a starter, but that could change if they make a trade.
Uehara, 33, could wind up with a three-year, $9 million deal to be a reliever. So far, the Orioles are the only known team offering a starting job. He was the closer for Japan in the 2007 Asian Championships and also spent one year closing for the Yomiuri Giants.
I’ve been told he has a great split-fingered fastball and good command, but his velocity is down. The Orioles, Rangers and Cardinals are among the teams interested.
Bonus Note: Also heard Thursday that the Twins have expressed interest in Brett Tomko, who got released by the Royals and Padres last season. Tomko, 35, has been used as a starter and a reliever in recent years. He is 95-99 with a 4.68 ERA in his major league career.
170 Responses to "Twins explore international market for pitching help"
Rosenthal reported that Kawakami wants 3 years $36mil. Also, there were earlier reports that the Red Sox offered 2/24… just don’t see how the Twins can even come close esp. when there are cheaper free agent pitchers with a proven track record this side of the pacific.
Brett Tomko?
Dumpster diving, again.
“Bonus” and “Tomko” should never be used in the same sentence or paragraph.
Brett Tomko???? Come on! Why would they waste their time with yet another over the hill reclamation project. Question 2 where would he fit? Long relief? We have younger better versions in Boof, Guerrier & Humber not to mention the kid they took in the rule 5 draft.
sane,
that’s what I thought at first about Tomko until I saw his numbers from last year:
1.44 WHIP, 2.72 K/BB, 6.3 K/9
which would be an improvement over Perkins’ 1.47 WHIP, 1.90 K/BB, 4.41 K/9…
I’ve expressed interest in may people over the years, but never really had a shot at most of them either….
that should be many, not may.
Ken Rosenthal reported that the Mariners are looking for a LH power hitting outfielder (obviously bc they just lost Ibanez). How about Kubel and maybe a mid-level prospect for Beltre. Young could be put into the DH spot and Pridie would be the extra outfielder. Kubel straight up for Beltre seems pretty fair, but I’m also high on Kubel.
That’s a big no to Tomko. If that’s all the better the cheap Twins can do, they really aren’t trying, and are just showing the fans how little they actually care about them. It’s bad enough Punto was brought back, and even worse he is likely going to start, Tomko would just be insulting.
Kawakami is a two-time winner of the Sawamura Award, Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young.
Matt maybe the Mariners are the team that thrylos98 said had to clear some salary to take on a player like a Kubel in a trade. Beltre would definitely clear some salary for them but I bet they wished they would have pulled the trigger on that Washburn trade to us now!
WOW!! HOW UNDERWHELMING!!
For those of you who want to SERIOUSLY contend every five years like the Marlins, here is what the Marltwins would have to do:
1) Trade Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer and Nathan for three packages of the best prospects they can get.
2) Develop those prospects as fast as possible, while getting the crap kicked out of them by the Royals. (and everyone else)
3) Draw enough fans to maintain the organization.
4) After we contend or win in 2012, trade all those developed players for packages of the best prospects we can get.
5) Go to step#2.
sane,
I think I prefer being close every (even-numbered) year.
I hate that about Ruiz….
Actually, Sane, what the “Marltwins” would do would be to pour every asset they have (money, trading prospects for established players, etc) into this year and next, try to win a WS now, and THEN trade everything away and start over with step 5.
Total Bullshnit!! We have money under the supposed budget limit and no talk about Burrell or Dunn or Wiggs. This team has no right handed power!! Cuddy??
Laughable! The sad thing is either Dunn and Manny or Dunn and Burrell will end up with the Yanks! Who knows maybe all three will be yankee’s!!!!….woulndn’t that just stick in my craw 
Dunn would not be a good fit. The Twins already have too many outfielders and they need RH power hitters, or any power hitters that hit over .200 against LHP.
Lol jama!
Anyway, as far as Hardy goes, it’s true: it’s hard to trade for a guy that a team isn’t shopping. Hard, but not impossible.
I would trade: Perkins or Blackburn along with: Cuddyer, Swarzak, Bushcher or Harris (maybe both), Boof, and another prospect reliever. I would REALLY hesitate to trade Both Perkins And Blackburn, even for Hardy. I would advise against it. That’s a 5-7 for one deal (maybe you could get another Brewer prospect thrown in), and a lot I know, but most of it wouldn’t be a great loss. Swarzak, Harris, and one of the starters would be the good ones. The rest are either average Buscher, Harris, or expendible Cuddyer, Boof, Buscher, Harris (and average).
(I like Harris, but overall he’s average. I would like to keep him. He’s average. Average on this team can be good. He’s average). Mixed messages?
Brewers get 2 starters, plus a reliever. They need picthing. We need hitting. Get rid of Cuddyer’s contract, other expendible, average players taking up space. This extra room can be used to promote AAA guys. Guys like Tolbert, Macri, and Punto (oh, wait). You know. More expendible, average guys.
Lol jama!
Anyway, as far as Hardy goes, it’s true: it’s hard to trade for a guy that a team isn’t shopping. Hard, but not impossible.
I would trade: Perkins or Blackburn along with: Cuddyer, Swarzak, Bushcher or Harris (maybe both), Boof, and another prospect reliever. I would REALLY hesitate to trade Both Perkins And Blackburn, even for Hardy. I would advise against it. That’s a 5-7 for one deal (maybe you could get another Brewer prospect thrown in), and a lot I know, but most of it wouldn’t be a great loss. Swarzak, Harris, and one of the starters would be the good ones. The rest are either average Buscher, Harris, or expendible Cuddyer, Boof, Buscher, Harris (and average).
(I like Harris, but overall he’s average. I would like to keep him. He’s average. Average on this team can be good. He’s average). Mixed messages?
Brewers get 2 starters, plus a reliever. They need picthing. We need hitting. Get rid of Cuddyer’s contract, other expendible, average players taking up space. This extra room can be used to promote AAA guys. Guys like Tolbert, Macri, and Punto (oh, wait). You know. More expendible, average guys.
Lastly, good point sane. Don’t know whether I want it or not, but good point.
Luis Rivas is still available. Based on what the Twins paid for Punto, we could probably get him for $3 million a year.
I’m not suggesting doing cartwheels over someone like Tomko, but I do recall that Dennys Reyes wasn’t exactly a pitcher on the rise when the Twins took a shot at him. It’s all about the role you’re looking for. Tomko as long-reliever and emergency SP might be worth a ST invite.
Chief,
IMO, with their current core of players and all they could pick up from trading current players and FA spending, they would still not be good enough to match the Red Sox/Yankee/Angels level of talent.
They still MIGHT win it, like the Phillies and Cardinals, but I wouldn’t want that bet.
I think my plan is better because trading Mauer (batting champ), Morneau (MVP runner-up)and Nathan at their peak value could bring back a core of players that could REALLY compete in the future with the RedSox/Yankees/Angels.
NOTE: THIS IS NOT MINE.
(Sorry).
As mentioned: This is not mine: taken from a poster at MLBtraderumors.com:
(I almost did). It’s kinda long.
Twins FA signings. WARNING YOU MAY CRY IF YOU READ THIS
07
Randy Ruiz
Howie Clark
Jon Knott
Eli Whiteside
Brian Bass
R.A. Dickey
Adam Everett
Mike Lamb
Zach Day
Randy Keisler
Livan Hernandez
06
Carmen Cali
Ken Harvey
Mike Venafro
Jeff Cirillo
Luis Rodriguez
Sidney Ponson
Brad Voyles
Randy Choate
Matt LeCroy
Ramon Ortiz
Brian Bass
05
Mike Smith
Glenn Williams
Jason Hart
Tony Batista
Shawn Wooten
Andres Torres
Matt Ford
Rondell White
Darrell May
Ryan Glynn
Peter Munro
Tim Raines Jr.
Ruben Sierra
Dennys Reyes
Steve Lomasney
04
Jason Tyner
Gil Velazquez
Juan Castro
Mike Redmond
Brad Radke
Bud Smith
Glenn Williams
Terry Mulholland
Trey Hodges
Pat Strange
Brent Abernathy
Andy Fox
Eric Munson
C.J. Nitkowski
Armando Rios
03
Seth Greisinger
Chris Heintz
Peter Munro
Joe Roa
Shannon Stewart
Henry Blanco
Kevin Tolar
Aaron Fultz
Juan Diaz
Rick Helling
Brian Simmons
Jose Offerman
02
Ben Ford
Carlos Pulido
Chris Gomez
Jose Rodriguez
Mike Fetters
Kenny Rogers
01
David Lamb
Kurt Abbott
Mike Jackson
Alex Prieto
David Lee
Jose Mijares
Warren Morris
Mike Trombley
Garrett Jones
TK(2),
Most of those were signed to minor league contracts.
That is not the same as a MLB Free Agent Contract.
If the Twins do sign Tomko to say a minor league deal or a ST invite, it seems like they would be setting up for a deal. They already have 5 young starters, plus pitchers like Boof, Humber, Mulvey, Duensing, and Swarzak who are all either major league ready or close, and they just went out and took Jones in the rule 5 draft. That’s 12 pitchers for 6 - 7 spots (includes long relief and maybe a short guy). Granted, they do need to have a staff down in AAA, but its not like they need to groom 6 guys to take over for a veteran pitcher.
2004 looks like a pretty good year.
Brad Radke was a 2004 FA signing?
Huh?
sane, just like Punto was a 2008 FA signing.
WJ,
Gotcha.
They let Radke “test the market”.
If these international pitchers are any good the Twin’s will not sign them too much cash. I like listening to the Twin’s front office talk about how other team’s ask too much for there player’s but as you notice other team’s seem to get player’s when they need them. Xavier Nady(Yankee’s), Texeira(Angel’s), Sabathia(Brewer’s), and on and on.
Like I said sane, it’s not mine. Just thought I’d pass it along. And it’s pretty sad.
this is depressing!
The Twins don’t get offered good deals like the Xavier Nady trade.
If you are a team that wants to get a good deal for trading Nady, (or Texeira or Sabathia) would you go to the Twins?
No, you would approach teams that aren’t afraid to give up prospects for a role player or a high salary impact player.
Yeah just like last year when the Twins didn’t get offered Young, Harris, and Pridie, for Garza, Bartlett, and Morlan; they never get offered deals.
Brett Tomko? Oh, good grief. This is just sad.
Exactly my point Sane the Twin’s won’t give up market value for talent
My bad!
I meant that the Twins never get offered deals for prospects, because they won’t give them up unless they are out of options like JD Durbin
I am sure they get offers for their proven MLB players like Garza, Bartlett, M&M, Liriano, Baker, Slowey, Nathan,etc.
Brett Tomko is still in the majors??? Huh. Good for him.
Anywhoo….Can somebody tell me why Crede is so under the radar right now. I am fully aware of his back issues, but I’m starting to think he would actually be a better fit across the board (including contractually) than even a guy like Wigginton who I also like.
He could be a solid stopgag until the Valencia/Hughes emerge. And if he falters due to health or play or something, THEN you can fall back on guys like Brian “get ready Morneau because I have no idea where my throws are going” and Brendan “so average it hurts” Harris.
I just think his value is such that the Twins can get a bargain, relatively speaking, with him.
Exactly won’t give up prospects and won’t spend money equals status quo and that’s what we have surprise!
I failed to finish my name up there…The name was Brian “get ready Morneau because I have no idea where my throws are going” Buescher. There, that’s better.
ok yeah, good point … Granted Liriano was a stud, and still is very good, but the Rangers offered Soriano (a proven superstar) for Liriano and the Twins passed up. Why? Because they are reluctant to make a move to win now, and they always say they won’t “mortgage the future” - well the future is more than just one player and like everyone’s been saying, including Torii and Santana - why keep playing for now when all they do is worry about the future.
To get a superstar like Soriano, you probably have to give up a potential star
Best free agent signing? Not many, but has to be Redmond, do you agree?
Hey Matt– do you realize that Jason Pridie struck out 152 times with Rochester last year? (MiLB)
Not sure he is the answer.
matt says: “and Pridie would be the extra outfielder.”
Another thing to keep in mind Bill Smith might be getting nervous about making another trade right now The Garza/Bartlett trade is not looking good considering the Twins have three other legit outfielders(Cuddyer,Gomez,Span). Also the only contributing player in the Santana trade is Gomez. Who shows some superstar potential but is extremely raw and really should refine his swing in Triple A.
Tex’s numbers are as follows
Teixeira hit .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs last season, including .358 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 54 games with the Angels.
Morneaus numbers are as follows
23 HR’s 129 RBI’s 0 1 76 85 .300 AVG
I don’t see us being able to resign him after this contract runs out. I can not see us paying a player Tex like money so we better win the WS pretty quick if we intend on ever doing it
Tomko is fine to take a flier on, as is some other reliever. But, this team has limited resources, and spending millions on middle relievers and #9 hitters (or #8) does not build a championship team, not when you won’t spend it on 3B or corner OFers in their prime. In their defense, they tried to do this with Cuddy, but if you look at his stats, he’s never been better than median, so it was an odd choice from my perspective.
Mauer or Morneau who is more valuable to the Twins franchise? We may only be able to keep one of the 2 when the time comes
Rick,
Pridie would not be a starter, unless an outfielder or two got hurt. He would be fine as a player who got in once or twice a week. We’re talking about the 5th outfielder, not the starting centerfielder.
On a side note
Blazers end 11-game skid vs. Phoenix behind Roy’s career-high 52
Now back to baseball
TK(2); Thanks for the post on Twins’ FA’s. Doesnt matter to me if its MLB or minor league. Twins historically cruise the slums for cheap pick-up’s. Hence, there is no way ever in the next million years the Twins will be signing Kawakami or the other Japanese guy. No way. They will wait until the bitter end, when nothing but wannabe’s and over-the-hill scraps are left, and then see if they can win the lottery. For example, maybe no team takes a flier on Crede, and he has to take a one-year deal below par. Then, and only then, will the Twins seriously talk to him. They will hope to win the lottery with this kind of thing, but also reduce risk by signing only below market contracts. That’s our M.O. It’s not changing now or any time in the next millenia.
Twins Interested In Kawakami, Uehara
By Tim Dierkes [December 19 at 9:58am CST]
According to Joe Christensen and La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have expressed interest in Japanese pitchers Kenshin Kawakami and Koji Uehara. The authors suggest Kawakami could allow the Twins to trade a starter, while Uehara may enter the Majors as a reliever. The Twins’ interest in Kawakami first surfaced back on Tuesday. Teams such as the Orioles, Cardinals, Braves, Red Sox, Mets, and Giants have also been linked to him.
Another note from Christensen: the Twins have expressed interest in Brett Tomko
[…] Around the Majors – […]
jimmy, thanks for the post. I’m happy that I don’t have to scroll to the top of this page now to read that.
Does Bill Smith collect a paycheck? What the F? DO SOMETHING!!! If your key offseason move is over paying for a pathetic excuse of a MLB player, you are a pathetic franchise… The Twins will finish last in the AL Central in 09.
At least as Brester would put it, “We got that new stadium coming”.
redundant says:
December 19th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
jimmy, thanks for the post. I’m happy that I don’t have to scroll to the top of this page now to read that.
Hey does anyone know what they decided about that stupid coin flip rule Len3 mentioned they were going to discuss it at the winter meetings.
The A’s put Bobby Crosbey on outright waivers, would the Twins take a chance on him? I know his numbers have not been great the last few years, but maybe a change in teams would help. He did hit 24 home runs in 04, but has declined since to about 7-10 a year, bad batting average though. Maybe he would not be a good pick up.
Would the Twins ever pick up someone like Adam Dunn to be our DH. If we have some money to spend he would be fun to watch in a Twins uniform. He would be like the next coming of Hrbek or Don Baylor for us. Huge power #’s
hey that was weird. Sorry redundant
Would the Twins ever pick up someone like Adam Dunn to be our DH. If we have some money to spend he would be fun to watch in a Twins uniform. He would be like the next coming of Hrbek or Don Baylor for us. Huge power #’s
There is a report out there that the Twins are done with SS on ESPN’s site. Anything to it? I thought all hope was gone with the signing of Punto. Maybe a Hardy deal is possible. I still would rather see a move on Beltre and live with LNP
jama,
” We have money under the supposed budget limit and no talk about Burrell or Dunn or Wiggs. This team has no right handed power”
Dunn is a LH hitter.
‘Bout time the Twins added a little sushi to their diet…
I say trade Baker and Morneau for Tomko.
i got a stupid idea i know it will never happen but how about Zygi Wilf buys the Twins to just own both teams he proven that he is willing to spend monney on great players just have the Wilf’s own the vikings and Twins like i said i know it will never happen but hey just an idea
dano we could have Taylor but the Twins and then McHale could run both clubs as GM
The Twins have always explored the international market for players.
For example Morneau and Koskie came from far-away places with strange sounding names.
The talk of the Japanese pitchers is just more smoke and mirrors by the Twins FO to make it look to fans like they’re making any effort to improve the team. Does anyone really believe that they would take on the likely salary requirements of these two guys? Billy: “We would have liked to have signed Kawakami and we tried but he was asking for too much and it just didn’t fit.”
Tamko, however, fits right in with their usual MO.
Looks like the Vikings are the only pro team in town with an ownership and management willing and able to do what it takes to actually build a winner.
I like the Kubel and a midling prospect to get Beltre suggestion. Then when he leaves as a FA when his contract is up we can get two draft choices. I think the Twins may be hesitant because its a rent a player situation as they wouldn’t re-sign him
If your key offseason move is over paying for a pathetic excuse of a MLB player, you are a pathetic franchise… The Twins will finish last in the AL Central in 09.
Just like how trading Santana, losing Hunter, “dumping Garza” and mistakenly extending Cuddy’s contract lead them to the cellar of the ALC in 08 right?
David: I don’t remember what position Crosby plays…but 10 homers isn’t an upgrade at any position where we’re looking to upgrade (unless he’s a SS)
Crosbey is a SS.
Bobby Crosby is not an upgrade at ANY position.
Crosbey is a SS.
That would be my luck now wouldn’t it. 
Also: I would recommend not tuning into EPSN this weekend. Today’s story is how Boston ISN’T going to sign Tex.
How that’s news is beyond me, since roughly 26 other teams have made the same decision.
I kid you not, there was a half hour segment on the Red Sox’s chances of winning the World Series without him.
Crosby is a very poor defensive SS with a career .239 avg… no thanks, especially since the Twins would have to pay his $5.75 mil contract if they pick him up.
I heard the Twins were also interested in Mr. Miyagi and Kobayashi any truth to that rumor Joe?
The Twins management has the balls to say that Ty Wigginton has too many issues for the Twins, but then they are looking at Brett Tomko who has been released 4-5 different times
BC of ND
They would say they were interested in them and end up with Mr. Magoo, and some reject that failed to make the Crazy 88 (probably number 129)
BC.Beneke
I heard the Royals already offered Mr Magoo a huge contract.
Think about it though Mr.Miyagi could be the new hitting coach and Kobayashi can help Ron Coomer finsish off all the left over dome dogs after the games.
TC and Cuddyer to the Rockies for Crazy George and Atkins.
I’ll put a dollar down that the Twins sign Tomko. Takers? Anyone?
Twins explore retirement market for pitching help
I am getting so tired of purported Twins “fans” complaining about the way the Twins do business. It is how they have done it, it is how they are doing it, and barring a change to a free-spending owner (don’t hold your breath), its how they will continue to do business. If you want to be a fan of a team that will spend profligately, turn your attention to NY or LA, and quit annoying me with your whining.
This team is a year or two ahead of schedule, and is absolutely putting together a solid core of young players that can compete for the next 5 years. I personally, am thrilled that I get to watch the Spans, Casillas, Mauers, Morneaus, Youngs, Lirianos, Bakers, Sloweys, etc. continue to develop and excel.
Finally, the reason there is no real movement in FA’s right now is that many GM’s are waiting for the market to come down, which it will in the next month or so, as players start dropping their demands. As for Crede, he is a Boras client, and there are only 6 or 7 teams willing to jump into bed with him right now, hence the absence of action on him.
TC is about the gayest mascot ever they should trade him and Punto to Phillie for the Phanatic.
“The Twins management has the balls to say that Ty Wigginton has too many issues for the Twins, but then they are looking at Brett Tomko who has been released 4-5 different times”
I missed where they said they didn’t want Wigginton due to ‘issues’. Do you have a link?
Are the Twins looking for
Rick Junk Mahlor or Brynn Smith?
Maybe Juan Eichelburger?
Pete D.
Antony said that there were issues with Wigginton’s defense, and I believe that they said they had financial issues with how much he’d want…
ISSUES with Wigginton…
Pay meal money to crap like Tomko.
A year or two ahead of what schedule? Competing for what? The AL Central only to lose out in the 1st round of the playoffs? When was the last time this team made it past the first round of the playoffs? 1991? As a partial season ticket owner, I pay for quality, if I wanted to watch players develop I’d buy tickets to a AA club. Since I do pay for tickets and they’re not cheap, I expect quality in returnand I expect the Front Office to back up what they say they’re going to do and quit leading us all down the same path every year saying it’s a different path. But then again, many Twins fans don’t mind paying Cadillac Prices to get a Malibu in return. They just settle….
Personally, I am getting so tired of purported Twins “fans” complaining about other purported Twins “fans” complaining about the way Twins do business. If you want to be a fan of a team that will only spend miserly, turn your attention to Pittsburgh or Florida, and quit annoying me with your whining about my whining.
Do the Twins have any legitimate outfielders? Kubel’s a DH. Span played well for two months after years of stinking in the minors. Cuddyer had one good year in RF and has a great arm, but otherwise he’s been injured and/or mediocre. In one season Gomez gave us plenty of reason to expect great things, but perhaps even more to make us doubt. Delmon Young is quite possibly the best of the bunch. Despite management forcing the “Twin’s way” onto him, he still managed to hit for decent power, run production, and average. A few isolated gaffes dominate perception of his defense, but aside from those he fielded his position deceptively well for learning a new position in a tough stadium. He’s much better in the field than a 23-year-old Torii Hunter was at the plate.
USAFChief…
I am a life long Pirates fan. I grew up to stories of Clemente, and getting to watch Pops Stargell. Johnny Ray, Jim Bibby, Bill Madlock (the joe mauer of Pittsburgh), Tony Pena, and so many other great talents that lead to Bonds, trades for Bonilla and Drabek, and the amazing Andy VanSlyke…
And it’s been terrible since Bonds went to SF in Pittsburgh ever since.
The all star game at the beautiful new stadium (one of the most beautiful in the game)… was spectacular, but the Pirates are run by the worst owners in MLB.
Delmon Young is not better now in the field than Torii Hunter was at 12 years old.
As a hitter… Delmon was a better hitter at 12 than Torii Hunter will be, but attitude wise… Delmon is a zero at his best.
“personally, am thrilled that I get to watch the Spans, Casillas, Mauers, Morneaus, Youngs, Lirianos, Bakers, Sloweys, etc”
Now I see! The Twins don’t need to do anything outside the org to improve the team, they have a master plan to clone their best young players!
When has Delmon demonstrated a “zero” attitude since he has been with the Twins?
Kay…
They are too busy trying to clone Carl Pohlad so that he never dies… he’s 301 years old now.
Then they will clone their money
They may even clone Bill Smith because they have to love having yes men that have no will power of their own…
I don’t see them ever cloning their own players because that’s more people that have to pay.
Shaun… I am saying at his best he has zero attitude.
Meaning that when he has the same look on his face after missing a ball that just bounced, hit into a double play, and when he hit a double to the gap.
I am saying he’s a loner, and listens to his brother and his father… and didn’t buy into the Twins Way BS.
the ZERO was not meant as a complete negative.
If the Twins had done business the way alot of people wish, we would not have the Sloweys, Bakers, and Spans. They would have been traded at the deadlines for guys like Mike Piazza and Frank Thomas, who would no longer be with the Twins either.
There are many ways to skin a cat.If Anderson thinks these Japanese pitchers are worth it.negotiate with their agents based on taking less and working with the best pitching coach in the business.
BC-It’s the holiday season,could you Scrooge a rest for a week!Such angest!
Hey BC Beneke you forgot to mention Kent Tekulve maybe the Twins could bring him in as the set up man.
But if they had brought in Frank Thomas and won the WS like they did when they brought in Don Baylor back in ‘87…then what?
Geno…
I’m not in a bad mood or anything today.
“Antony said that there were issues with Wigginton’s defense, and I believe that they said they had financial issues with how much he’d want…
ISSUES with Wigginton…
Pay meal money to crap like Tomko.”
Well, I’d call a 3 year deal in excess of 7 million per a bit of an ‘issue’. And I’ll take the word of scouts that there are issues with Wigginton’s defense. Even though I am sure that thrylos is now going to post the RZR for all of the players again. 
I don’t see any mention of a multi year, multi million dollar deal for Tomko. I don’t understand the anger.
quit annoying me with your whining about my whining
So what does that mean when you’re whining about people whining about whining?
Geno…
Also I am working on a drive for Toys for Tots, and I donate services to a battered women’s group, and to a troubled teens’ organization… May even start working with Hospice next year… so please don’t think of me the person anywhere near me the Twins fan.
I don’t understand the anger.
I would’ve thought you’d have been around long to realize there’s always some unreasonable anger coming from one direction or the other. 
T
damn it you made me spit out my water.
That was great.
So that is BS’ new plan. He is going to very poor 3rd world countries to sign people to contracts for waaaaaay under market value.
“But if they had brought in Frank Thomas and won the WS like they did when they brought in Don Baylor back in ‘87…then what?”
What if they had brought in Frank Thomas and finished worse off than without him?
BC of ND Kent Tekulve oh what a great acquisition he would be.
In Japan BS is known as Yokozuna
Pete D.
You are about as good as Tomko is at this current point (and most of his career he has been a mediocre at best guy).
Ty Wigginton can play 3rd base, and defensively while he’s not going to be a gold glover… he’s going to be better defensively than Buscher. More importantly he is a home run threat that this lineup could really use.
Tomko isn’t a better pitcher than Humber or Bonser, and that’s not me just being MEAN and ANGRY. We have better options already here than Tomko.
WE do not have someone better than Wigginton.
3 years 21 million for Wigginton… yes I would do that though I wouldn’t be “excited about having to pay that much.”
1) why would we sign japanese pitchers?
2) Brett Tomko sucks
3) Randy Ruiz? big deal
Blah…
Japan is not a 3rd world country!
And if he was going to 3rd world countries and finding arms, and bats GOD BLESS HIM FOR THE AMBITION!!! I don’t care how much he pays for the players… just bring in the talent.
Go to the middle east and bring me 5 muslim kids that can throw 95, and have a drop dead fall off the table curve or slider… and I will buy their jerseys…
I could care less where the players come from
Hey jimmybee was Tekulve the grandson of Ichabod Crane? I loved all those old Pirates to and the other BC is right that franchise is a shadow of what it used to be.
BC.Beneke
I am not, and never have been, 1/100 as talented at pitching as Brett Tomko.
That being said, is he better than Humber or Bonser? He might be, he might not be. I really don’t think he is significantly worse than either of those players. Irregardless, I don’t see the problem in seeing what he is looking for contract wise.
The Twins obviously have a number in mind that they are looking to spend at 3rd base. It doesn’t appear to be over 7 million a year, and it doesn’t appear to be for more than 2 years. Overpaying for talent is not the way the Twins operate. And I don’t have a problem with it. You obviously do.
BC of ND the A’s are also a shadow of there former selves. Yes Ichabod crains love child he is. BC Beneke my favorite old Pirate would have to be Andy Van Slyke. He was an awesome player in my eyes.
I am in no way whining, I am simply pointing out the fact that decrying a reality that will not change is a waste of life. You might as well complain about the sky being blue instead of orange. Thus, I am not whining, just asking people to act like adults, either enjoy the local 9 despite their fetishistic desire to spend other people’s money, or find a different team with an ownership group that behaves more to their liking.
Nor do I have any interest in being a Pittsburgh or KC fan, as was suggested. For one, I live here, and for second, I enjoy following an organization that scouts well, does what it can to keep its players, and is competitive every year. Only one team can win the Series every year, and in the past 10 years, only two teams have won multiple championships. It is unrealistic to expect the Twins to win every year, so I am therefore expectant of a playoff run every year, a state that would have been accepted immediately by every Twins fan in the mid- to late-90’s.
When I said they were ahead of schedule, its because they were basically a coin flip away from the playoffs this year, when most people had them pegged no better than 4th in the division and 75 wins.
Concerning the idiotic comment of the Twins basically needing to clone players to succeed, the Twins have a starting rotation comprised completely of under 28-year-olds who all have already won 10 games in a year. There is no reason all 5 of them cannot win 15 games as soon as this year. The 5 position players I listed are all above-average players at their position, and give us one of the 10 best top fives in the league, which is why the Twins produced the 4th most runs in the league last year, outscoring teams who have routinely spent big on FA’s such as NYY, LA, NYM, Det, etc.
Finally, when it comes to Free Agents, its not as if the Twins get to pick which ones they would like before the other 29 teams. Sometimes, players simply don’t want to come here for reasons beyond money, and that is hardly management’s fault.
i watched a guy read a book about a blogger whining about others bloggers whining about the whiners whining about the twins! i think that’s what it was about.
BC Benke I went to the Wolves vs Suns game this year and Shaq has bird legs. The next victory I see them getting is against the Nicks
What is wrong with Delmon not showing emotion?
There are a ton of baseball players who mask their emotions so the opposing team can’t see that adversity makes them unravel.
Would you have rejected Kareem Abdul Jabbar because didn’t do cartwheels?
Btw,
this is not the first time the Twins made overtures towards Japan. Does anyone remember “Mike” Yoshihide Nakamura? They singned him young as a minor leaguer and came up throw the organization for a cup of coffee in the majors…
Emotionless?
Would you reject Tim Duncan?
His pulse rate is probably about three beats per minute.
There is no reason all 5 of them cannot win 15 games as soon as this year
ouch! Assuming the average 20 wins or so by the pen, you got them pegged for at least 95 win season next year… Are you gonna hold Gardy accountable for it, if they are not make it to 95?
Isn’t Gardy already accountable if the sprinklers go on too early?
Oops!
In the Dome, that would not be a problem.
However, Gardy must be accountable, if the toilets won’t flush, or the lights go out.
Fire the SOB!
“Would you reject Tim Duncan?”
Funny! I was thinking of Mariano Duncan at first for some reason
If you thought that the Punto deal was bad, Juan Rivera (.282 OBP last season) singed a 3 year, $12.75 mil deal with the Angels…
Trade proposal of the day:
Instead of looking to flip Kubel/minor league pitching prospect for Beltre, how about going after ARod instead? Kuble and a prospect for ARod! How could the Yankees turn that down? They need help, and what has Arod ever done to win a WS? Nothing but choke. THey’d get premuim left handed power and a pitcher to develop. God knows we have tons of developing pitchers here. It’s called trading from strength to weakness.
The moral of the story is never sell your team short. If we need a 3B, let’s go get the big guy. I’m sure the NYY would pay 75% of his salary to get their hands on Kubel.
Somebody said we weren’t willing to spend $7 million or go more than 2 years for a quality third baseman. Well, we’re not going to get anybody then, because quality players want more than 2 year deals, and quality players get $7 million or more per year. Cough up the money and add a year or two and get something besides a bleeding “stopgap” between prospects we aren’t even sure are going to develop.
BC:
3 years 21 million for Wigginton… yes I would do that though I wouldn’t be “excited about having to pay that much.”
I would also do that. However from the Strib’s own article it sounds like Wiggington wants MORE.
Yeah just like last year when the Twins didn’t get offered Young, Harris, and Pridie, for Garza, Bartlett, and Morlan; they never get offered deals.
Twins didn’t get offered Young, Harris, and Pridie. The Twins asked about Young to kick things off from what I recall.
So even though you’re wrong…you found a way to be right.
You guys are unbelievable. You expect the twins to make deals like money falls from the sky. Free agent signings always turn out to be overvalued, and there are only about five teams that can really compete for the upper echelon free-agents. And then you complain about the twins not trading jason tyner for barry bonds. You’re ridiculous. Try to have some effing common sense here.
“Try to have some effing common sense here.”
Are you accusing us of not TRYING?
BC Beneke-There a old saying “Don’t get serious in the middle of a steek”.I know you are a good family man.We have had this friendly by-play for 2 years now.At least we can repectfully agree to disagree.For some on this blog that is impossible!
You expect the twins to make deals like money falls from the sky. Free agent signings always turn out to be overvalued
The Cuddy deal that was not a free agent signing has proven to be just a bargain, hasn’t it? It is not a matter of spending money because that they do. They are not cheap, they are spendthrifts as far as free agents go, and the get burned. Last year they spend about $20 million on 5 players (Rincon, Monroe, Lamb, Everett, Hernandez; the first 2 were not free agents but a bad arbitration tender and a trade) who got kicked out of the club because they did not help. It would have made more sense to get 2-3 good people instead of 5 mediocre.
Same money more impact.
Carl Pohlad can kiss my ex-season ticket holder A_$_$
It’s high time the Twins go after talented players from Japan.
Michael you mean washed up players like the Twins go after here…
Someone in the Twins front office has severely chapped lips from trying to suck the last fumes out of some very empty gas tanks.
here is a scouting report from his years in another organization about a projected Twins’ starter next year. The report was made in 2004 while he was in high A ball:
Mature 3B who’s offensive game was better suited for aluminum. Med. build w/short arms. Barrel chested. Thick arms and lower 1/2. Dead body with limited life/fast twitch. Sets up open and closes himself off nicely. Compact, swing but hands are very slow to the ball. Inside out swing path with hands. Front foot too often. Squares bat up well but ball comes off very soft. Unable to drive ball into gaps. HR’s are of the lazy fly ball variety. Poor plate coverage with short arms and off plate stance. Squirts lots of balls the other way off the end of the bat. Hand eye may allow bat to play a little better than it would given his lack of bat speed and strength. Poor plate
discipline hurts him as well as he doesn’t put himself in a position to drive the ball as he rarely picks a quality pitch to unload on. Power is limited, doesn’t project to hit more than 5-9 HR/yr @ higher levels. Doesn’t turn on anything. Runs hard but body too heavy to be any better than wba. Coming off of arm surgery but at best you will have a below avg arm with solid acc. Gorilla approach at 3B, blocks everything right at him. Lacks agility and hands need to be softened
considerably to playable. Your looking at a player playing a premium offensive position who isn’t going to have nearly the power you demand, won’t hit for high enuf avg and lacks the defensive
skills to play there and is not athletic enuf to move to 2B or LF. Organizational player.
Accurate?
You know who they are talking about…
thyrylos98-That player in question obviously can’t be you,this cat has to much talent to be you!
The Cuddy deal that was not a free agent signing has proven to be just a bargain, hasn’t it?
Oh yeah, Twins TOTALLY could’ve seen that torn finger coming. And then that liner off the foot…
Based on his performance in the final month, and Nathan’s struggles down the stretch, I’d wager those contracts looked worse…since… you know, they actually had issues within their control.
Sorry, “his” was referring to Mighty Morneau, who choked like no other when the season was on the line.
T,
Cuddyer (even before he was hurt) has been a below average major league corner outfielder and at his age there is no much of an upside.
Last season, Punto and Young were also hurt (and Young fought it off and did not go to the DL). Cuddyer when healthy he put worse numbers than the much maligned Twins’ utility infielder. That’s worse than bad.
I guess that earned him a starting job next year from the manager of the millennium
And once again the quote gets taken out of context. Go figure.
I always thought it was a universal truth that Young was a terrible OF. I mean…wasn’t the story last year his terrible routes and reads?
I’m serious, I can’t keep up these days.
Wonder if Bill Zepp’s wife will let him play for the Twins now…
I think that Baker is going to have a grreat career and everyone sucks
thrylos -
In 2006, Cuddyer was an above average corner outfielder. In 2007, he was below average. Wouldn’t that average out to an average corner outfielder?
While the Twins are looking at Japanese pitchers, why not make a run at Takashi Saito since he was non-tendered by the Dodgers? He could form an awesome 1-2 punch with Nathan and could probably be had for a moderate 1 or 2-year contract while we wait to see if Nathan comes back. (Subject to passing a team physical, of course).
oops - I meant if *Neshek* comes back
Bonds,DH him he could hit between mauer and Morneau. Just think if they signed him last year. We would have EASILY won the division.They couldn’walk him 200 time. We could sign him to an incentive laden contract. Cuddyer is way overrated.
Stick him at third.
Living in Japan, I have watched Uehara dominate. Love to see the Twins sign him.
One reads these comments and wonders if any of them know anything about major league baseball, let alone the Twins.Trade Liriano for an oft-injured, high-priced Soriano who wouldn’t want to play for the Twins?
Spending $80 million on Morneau is a waste if you aren’t willing to spend money and obtain a slugger to hit around him - see the Angels and Vladdy.
thrylos, who is the 2004 scouting report above on….the arm surgery threw me off?
All this talk about who the Twins should trade for … and it’s still Bill Smith at the controls. It’s depressing. No meaningful FA signing and as yet no willingness to trade for impact players. Good thing we have a new stadium coming. At least we’ll have a team to watch while management continues to underachieve and underwhelm.
E7: Buscher
mlb trade rumors reports cleveland going after joe nelson….just another one to get away to competition ….anyone besides me getting sick of the twins lack of aggression when it comes to putting this team together??? i sure am glad they got their stadium, as i can see what a difference it makes when it comes to signing players..sorry i must really be missing something, as it seems like it always was…excuses and more excuses….this is making for a very depressing offseason ..it gets old watching your top competition run circles around us again…..oh well, i will stop whining now….
Thrylos…
Being that Buschers fielding is so poor and the Twins have an abundance of left-handed hitters on this team isn’t it likely that Harris plays the lions share of 3B this season?
Do you think that if Harris were to have a career year that he could put up Koskie type numbers?
mj1 -
Really? You are upset because the Twins haven’t offered a contract to a 33 year old mediocre relief pitcher who missed an entire season 2 years ago due to a torn labrum?
He’s thrown 103.3 innings in his CAREER. That’s it. This team has several arms at it’s disposal. I’m 98% certain that if the Twins DID sign Joe Nelson, most posters would complain about how it was a ‘typical Twins move’.
No meaningful FA signing and as yet no willingness to trade for impact players.
What would be meaningful? Throwing 10 million a year at Wigginton? Giving Blake 8 mil for four years just to pry him away from the Dodgers?
As far as trading for impact players…I would think that Hardy, Atkins, and Beltre would be impact players.
The problem is that IT TAKES TWO TEAMS TO TRADE. They can’t just call up Colorado and get Atkins because we the fans would really like to have him here.
We could sign him to an incentive laden contract. Cuddyer is way overrated.
Stick him at third.
Would Bond’s incentive laden contract include a bonus for not getting his butt stuck in prison for perjury?
And if you feel Cuddyer is overrated…the last thing you’d want to do is stick him at the one position the Twins are in most dire need of upgrading.
T-
All good points.
But Bonds would sign with anyone for a minimum contract with incentives. He made that point very clear on his website last year several times.
What it looks more and more like though is that he is creating a web of collusion to sue MLB so once he loses everything on the Purgery case he can sue MLB for everything he lost and more…
And as I see it… he has a great shot at winning that case because teams aren’t even willing to look at a guy that is a lifetime .300 hitter, .400 ob%, and with or without steroids can drive the ball over the fense.
He would be a great DH in the American League… even at 43 years old.
Imagine what he would have done with his mouth shut, and onbase 46% of the time last year between Mauer and Morneau!
I think he would have been good for this team. I think that this is one of the few teams that could have kept his attitude problem in check… but maybe not… Delmon Young smiled 3 times all year last year, and probably listened to Joe Vavra (another favorite of mine) half that many times.
But Vavra is off of my hit list just like Span
BC:
I don’t recall the specific timeline, but I think the possibility of jailtime would be enough reason why a team wouldn’t want to put any kind of faith on Bonds. Sure, you’d have protection shuld he go to prison, but if you’re banking on Bonds to make a playoff push…and he goes to jail…it’s not exactly going to help that now they’ve got a hole back in their lineup.
I know that any “real” employer would likely be hesitant to hire a new employee if they had jail time hanging over their head.
But I get the feeling there’s something about Bonds that the public hasn’t been made aware of at the moment…
MLB could very well be giving him a chance to bow out quietly, which would go away if he comes back and sues the league.
jama,
I think that Harris should be the starting 3B if nobody else is acquired, Buscher should be in AAA and someone like Tolbert or Tolleson backing Harris up as a utility person.
Whether Harris could put Koskie-like numbers is up in the air. Koskie’s career line was .275/.367/.458 in 2007 with the Rays Harris had a .286/.343/.434 season. That’s close, but the home runs are not there. He spent some time in the PCL in the minors that really exaggerates home runs. In his last non PCL minors season, 2006 (Louisville, international league), he hit .324/.384/.534 with 5 HRs in 148 AB. That’s the equivalent of about 17 HRs in 500 AB. Koskie’s high other that the PCL was 23 with New Britain in the Eastern league in 437 AB… I don’t think that Harris will ever develop Koskie power, but he will be close on BA and OBP (maybe even a bit higher than Koskie)
pete d …no i am not upset about joe nelson. i am just tired of watching other teams and our competitors make moves to better themselves (although i ? signing everett as helpful) while we do nothing but resign punto and a bunch of minor leaguers and castoffs…there are people out there that can help this club, but our front office is too arrogant and too cheap to make honest efforts to get somebody…i guess the answer to all this is to get Zygi to buy the twins….he would already have signed wigginton and probably pulled off a trade for hardy plus working on the bullpen –stop the dream
another intersting take on why players aren’t being gobbled up.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3783423&name=olney_buster
the yankees rule. i’m going to buy 137,000,000 double cheeseburgers. yum
youd think it would be about time someone put a new posting in the trib…everything on here is at least 2-3 days old….i know its the offseason, but isnt there something with the twins to scoop…just wonderin……
pardon me joe i missed the indians headline….sorry…..
