Wednesday’s short hops
Posted on July 8th, 2009 – 9:50 AMBy Joe Christensen
1. The Twins are back in third place, but Detroit’s 8-5 victory over KC should be kept in perspective. As Michael Rosenberg notes in today’s Detroit Free Press, Justin Verlander needed 50 pitches to get through the first two innings, the Tigers committed two errors, and their eight runs came on eight hits. The Tigers should get a stiffer test tonight against Zack Greinke.
Frankly, the Tigers aren’t the AL Central team that should scare the Twins the most right now. The White Sox are rolling, and if Kenny Williams can orchestrate a trade for Jake Peavy — only to have Peavy shoot it down — it’s plausible he could land Roy Halladay. A trade like that could single-handedly change this division race.
2. With the Yankees’ bullpen on a serious roll — a 1.74 ERA in their past 21 games — they’ve decided to turn Thursday’s series finale against the Twins into a bullpen game. RHP Alfredo Aceves will get the start. He has a 2.02 ERA, but he hasn’t pitched more than four innings since his eight-inning start for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre on April 29. The Yanks need a starter for Thursday because Chien-Ming Wang is on the DL with a strained right shoulder.
3. The Twins have promoted RHP Deolis Guerra from Class A Fort Myers to Class AA New Britain. (Seth Stohs had this last night, and here’s a story from Ken Lipshez in the New Britain Herald.) Guerra, 20, is one of four players the Twins received from the Mets for Johan Santana and seemed very intriguing at the time, since he had climbed to high-A for two starts by age 17 in 2006 and shown a hard fastball in the All-Star Futures Game the following year.
But the bottom line is the Mets were rushing him. At 6-foot-5, Guerra is a great kid from Venezuela, but he’s a project as a pitcher. The Twins have been trying to refine his mechanics, but he was back in the Florida State League again this year and his numbers at Fort Myers (6-8, 4.69 ERA, 86.1 IP, 95 H, 57 K, 25 BB) hardly screamed for a promotion.
I think the Twins are trying to give him a change of scenery. The Mets compounded this problem by inviting Guerra to big league camp in 2008, so that when the Santana deal went down, the Twins felt obligated to invite Guerra to their own big league camp. I remember talking to Guerra about how he’d like to START the 2008 season at Class AA. But he wasn’t ready. The Twins sent him to Fort Myers, and he went 11-9 with a 5.47 ERA, with 71 strikeouts and 71 walks. I’m guessing he was getting a little tired of Florida summers.
Note: Head to La Velle’s blog later for tonight’s starting lineups.
Update: La Velle just heard Glen Perkins has been scratched from tonight’s start with a high fever. So Anthony Swarzak will make tonight’s start for the Twins.
168 Responses to "Wednesday’s short hops"
The Tigers grabbed 8 runs off of Bruce Chen.
Let me repeat that….Bruce Chen. This is the guy that failed as a bullpen pitcher in Baltimore years ago.
Here’s hoping Guerra pulls a Swarzak.
Didn’t Bruce Chen and Sidney Ponson anchor the Orioles rotation in, like 1994? Now both have been tried in the Royals’ rotation.
Thanks Joe C…Any update or news on Scott Baker being demoted to AA after last night’s performance?
You can’t really compare the almost trade for Peavy with a potential trade for Halladay. The Padres have been actively trying to move Peavy’s contract for months and they are hampered by his no-trade clause and the size of his contract. I’m sure the ChiSox would love Halladay, but so would a lot of other teams and the Sox don’t have too much to offer.
Kenny Williams was quoted as saying he may not be able to make a significant deal because attendance at Sox games is down significantly. He blamed it on the economy and the Sox not being very exciting to watch.
Guess Ozzie and AJ need to do more yakking and generate some fan interest.
I do agree that the team who is willing to make the best mid-season addition will win the AL Central… and that the WSox are probably the team most likely to be willing to do so. Don’t be surprised if they end up with Halladay. I just hope that whatever they have to give up in whatever deal Williams makes ends up crippling them in another area.
I believe Halladay still has one more year on his contract along with a no trade clause. I doubt that there are many contenting teams who have the talent the Jays will demand in return.
The point is, the White Sox are willing to trade, and will try to get better. The Twins will not. La Velle and Joe have been saying that in blogs and chats for months, the Twins are not going to make a big time trade during the year. The White Sox are willing and have done that.
If the White Sox can get a big time player, they should be the favorite. The three teams are about even right now, and if one team gets better, they should have the advantage.
So which GM has got the moxie to take a chance? Is it that simple?
I suppose the ChiSox and Twins records this past decade argue that it may be that simple.
Sure Kenny Williams has a reputation as a dealmaker, but can anyone tell me when one of his mid-summer deals has actually made a significant difference in a pennant race? And while not an expert on the White Sox farm teams, I don’t see a lot of marketable players on their major league team, nor excess at any position that could be dealt.
Williams just traded a guy who was reportedly his “4th best prospect” for some set up relief help. Too early to tell if it will be worth the price, obviously, but it at least shows he recognizes the Division is there for the taking this season.
Kenny swung for the fences in ‘05 bringing in Geoff Blum mid season. Or not.
mike wants wins: I agree completely. The White Sox are indeed the most likely to make a trade. The Tigers aren’t afraid to, but I think they are pretty much set unless they can get a left-handed slugger to take over at DH, such as Adam Dunn.
But the White Sox ALWAYS make a move, it seems. Sometimes they miss (Griffey Jr.), but at least they try. Besides Shannon Stewart, the Twins have never done anything to improve during the season. It’s a shame because they are a bullpen arm and second baseman away from being legit contenders if the starting rotation can hold it together.
Don’t expect to see Halladay go anywhere. The Blue Jays would have to be blown away to trade the guy. They have been very competitive this year in a tough division and if they hadn’t lost basically 80% of their starting rotation to the DL, they would be even better. They’re more likely to deal Rolen than Halladay.
Nobody is talking about Detroit. This is their best chance in years, you’d think they’s go after somebody hard. The big names seem to want to play in California though.
This doesn’t seem to make much sense, but do the TWINS have the pieces to make a run at Halladay?
Hmmm….
Perkins/Blackburn, Swarzak, Revere, Casilla, and Morales?
Twinman, I suppose it depends on what you consider a “significant difference.”
He dealt for Griffey last year at the deadline. Did Griffey contribute to winning one game the second half of the season that they wouldn’t have won otherwise? If so, then it kept them from finishing one game behind the Twins.
At the very least, I’d have to say it was more significant than the Twins picking up Eddie G.
I’ve been under the impression that the Tigers have some serious $$$ issues. Don’t know if that’s true though.
a couple of years ago Terry Ryan traded Luis Castillo to the Mets for a couple minor league guys at the trade deadline………..the Twins have not been able to fill 2nd base since…..meanwhile Castillo still plays everyday in NY batting around 280….why did Ryan make this move again…..?
“He dealt for Griffey last year at the deadline. Did Griffey contribute to winning one game the second half of the season that they wouldn’t have won otherwise? If so, then it kept them from finishing one game behind the Twins.”
Well, Griffey Jr. did throw out Cuddy at home in game 163. Does that count?
The Twins don’t have a lot of spare pieces. Since it is unlikely they would be able to resign Halladay or similar big-name player it doesn’t make sense for them to pay the asking price of young, major-league-ready talent.
This is some nice irony from Joe C.
Last year at this time he told us the Tigers were the team to worry about, even as the Twins and White Sox were the ones atop the standings. Although the Tigers did have a respectable second half, they were not a factor in the race.
So bank on the White Sox not being a factor this year, either.
Actually, I agree with Joe C. this time. I am more scared of the White Sox than the Tigers. It all boils down to veterans and the Whities are loaded with them.
“Well, Griffey Jr. did throw out Cuddy at home in game 163. Does that count?”
That absolutely counted if making the playoffs is your goal.
saam, what young major league ready talent do they have? If they have some, there is room at SS, 2B, LF (4th OF really), right handed DH, RP, RP, RP.
Actually, according to Maccolm Gladwell, pro sports teams that refuse to fill gaps with productive, short term fixes are making a mistake. Often times, those fixes work better than hoping Ben Revere learns how to have a higher SLG than OBP, for example.
I wonder if any one Twins starter plus a Revere/Dinkelman/Tolleson type would be ballpark for Halladay. That would take some balls.
saam–
I agree. It doesn’t make sense, from any number of angles, like the Twins history, their rosters, etc.
But players like Halladay (or Santana, Johan) are available only so often.)
I.e. Joe Crede.
@mike, my bad.
I’ve read the Brewers want pitchin bad. They got a AAA SS bangin on the door. Hardy’s slumpin. He solves a lot of Twins problems.
The Twins have the lowest payroll in their division at $65M. Even the Royals have a higher payroll. According to the website, I looked at the Tigers are $115M and the White Sox at $91M. Gardy should be congratulated for being competitive with less to work with than the other teams and the Bill Smith and the Pohlads should be embarrassed. I’m sick and tired of cheering for a penny pinching team and there are no signs that it will improve when they move to the new stadium with more revenue.
I’d like to see the Twins take a look at Pedro Martinez.
Had to go back and check to make sure I remembered this correctly, but Williams also traded for Carl Everett mid season (twice, actually) and he certainly contributed while he was there.
Point is, some deals pay off and some don’t. Willingness and ability to make deals at least gives you a shot.
I’m not saying you make deals just to say you make deals or that it’s ok to make obviously bad deals… but being passive year after year because “everyone wanted too much” carries its own set of risks, as well.
Jason, I too am holding out some glimmer of hope that the “Christensen Curse” buries the BitchSox chances in 2009. If history holds true to form, we should know in the next couple of weeks. That’s all the longer it usually takes for his victims to fade! 
Especially this year JC, when the AL central is a juicy piece of low hanging fruit.
JPR said he wanted 5 or 6 players, including the top 2 prospects in the organization, plus one major league ready starter back in return for Halladay. Halladay is only under control for one more year, and that is at the low low price of 20-some million dollars. Who’s going to do that?
mike, I was trying to say that the Twins would be creating holes if they made a trade for a Halladay-type player. I’m not suggesting they sit on their hands. I would also like to see an improvement at 2b. I’m just not ready to criticize Smith for not going after Halladay and Peavy.
The white sox stink. They beat cleveland. Big deal. Halladay is 32, e.g. he has NL stamped all over him.
Oh… and Williams also made a couple of midseason deals in 2004 for Freddy Garcia and Jose Contreras. Yes they fell well short of the Twins that season, but they did alright in 2005, as I recall.
I don’t think he should give up the farm for either of those pitchers, unless he can sign them. I agree. But do you really think they’ll give up prospects for a real 2B, one that isn’t super cheap, at the end of his career? That just isn’t their style. As much as Sanchez is having a year like he hasn’t had in a while, he’d make this team instantly better, significantly better, if they acquired him.
They aren’t even willing to send down Tolbert or Buscher, and call up some guys from the minors that might be better. Why would anyone think they’d trade guys for a guy that is good to very good?
But JimC, trades are only about the present. They are terrible for future, always terrible for the future…..how could that have been?
Twins - Halladay? Don’t make me laugh.
However, if there’s a team out there willing to take on Vernon Wells’ contract, that would be attractive to Toronto in a Halladay deal.
“I’ve read the Brewers want pitchin bad. They got a AAA SS bangin on the door. Hardy’s slumpin. He solves a lot of Twins problems.”
Yeah, I would LOVE to see the Twins make a run at Alcides Escobar, but I don’t think that the Brewers would deal him.
I have never been a fan of making a trade for the sake of doing something. However, I am for making trades (whenever)that help put the team in a better position to at least win the division. I think we need a better bat at the bottom half of the lineup and the only players I would not consider trading would be the 3 A-Stars. No other current starter or prospect is worth keeping if a better bat can be signed.
“They got a AAA SS bangin on the door. Hardy’s slumpin. He solves a lot of Twins problems.”
I think ‘he” is Hardy.
The “Hardy’s slumpin” comment means that maybe Hardy is available, and that likely, Escobar would NOT be available.
Seth,
I take it you’re not a fan of Hardy’s?
When I first heard Halladay would be available, I jumped straight to the conclusion that the Twins wouldn’t possibly make an offer. Then, I thought 2 things:
A. They offered to pay Santana similar money to play for this same time period.
B. They have a couple potentially valuable pieces that aren’t able to help much this year.
I still don’t think it’ll happen, but what would you think if they offered a package based around Liriano and Morales?
Would Toronto buy into the potential of these 2? Who else would they want?
If I’m Bill Smith, I’d be tempted to make the call. It seems a year premature for a move this aggressive, but what do you think?
I really like Hardy when he’s playing well. He’s pretty good then.
I wonder what the twins have and/or would be willing to part with if they wanted to make a trade.
I don’t know of any pitchers in the system worthy of being a big piece, and there’s not much hitting either.
The only guy I can think of that I MIGHT be willing to trade that might bring something as far as prospects go is Wilson Ramos… Everyone else who’d be worth something I don’t think they can part with…
I am a bit skeptical about the White Sox trading for Halladay. The Jays are 6 games over .500. They are young and talented; not a rebuilding team by any stretch of the imagination. What incentive do they have to trade their biggest star?
Anyway, Halladay is a Santana class pitcher and a trade for him would require a Santana-esque package. At least 4 prospects, at least one of whom should be major league ready.
Brian Roberts from Baltimore would be a tremendous get right now…#2 hitter and 2B problems solved…
SethSpeaks says:
July 8th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I really like Hardy when he’s playing well. He’s pretty good then.
I like all the Twins players when they’re playing well.
Seth i heard your comment about Punto last week on Jacks show and i died laughing.
To TwinsNotesGuy:
Who (besides the A-Stars) can’t they part with?
If what Torii Hunter said is true (and we all know Torii would never say anything to a reporter that isn’t true), then “everybody and his momma” is going to be after Holladay. So while it would be totally UN-Twinslike to get involved, let’s pretend for a moment that we are Bill Smith’s “momma”.
Bill, honey, you need to call that nice man with the Blue Jays and talk to him about bringing that Holladay boy to the Twins.
What’s that? You don’t have the players to trade? Now, Bill, you know that’s not true. When that nice Slowey boy is healthy, you’ll have six good young starting pitchers on your team. If you get Mr. Holladay, that’s two more than you need. Tell them they can have any of the boys you have now… maybe even two of them… because let’s face it, none of us can tell any of them apart from one another anyway.
While you’re at it, ask if they would like a former #1 draft pick and Rookie of the Year candidate who’s been starting to hit the ball pretty well lately. If not, you know you have two centerfielders already and a couple more in the minors who are supposed to be pretty good. You don’t really NEED all those fast little guys, do you? Of course not. Besides, after he leaves at the end of next year, you’re going to get TWO first round draft choices and you KNOW you’d take more fast little centerfielders with those picks!
Oh, now Bill… don’t be telling fibs to your momma… the Twins CAN afford to pay Mr. Holladay’s salary this year and next year. Those rich people you work for were going to pay that Johan fellow $20 million a year for 5 years just two years ago! Anyone willing to do that should have no problem paying $22 million or so for a year and a half of Roy Holladay! I bet if you go and ask nicely, they’ll say “yes”!
Oh… he has a no-trade clause and you don’t think he’ll agree to move to Minnesota?
Well then… f*&% him.
Liriano, Morales (or Ramos), Luke Hughes, Rob Delaney
Am I over or undervaluing Liriano to think he’d be viewed as a tempting centerpiece?
So, do you think his current slump is a harbinger for the end of his carreer?
The Twins have a better chance of getting Halliday than the White Sox. Who do the Sox have to give up? Williams has raped his system acquiring guys like Vazquez over the years.
JC,
That was hilarious!
The Twins final reply from Halladay:
“Yo Momma!”
I really like Hardy when he’s playing well. He’s pretty good then
I posted this a couple weeks ago, but the time to go get a player like Hardy is when he ISN’T playing well.
Buy low, sell high.
At present, Liriano is no centerpiece.
Castillo still plays everyday in NY batting around 280….why did Ryan make this move again
Short answer: Casilla looked ready (and wasn’t). Long answer, Castillo is done. His OPS the last two years: .660 and .698. UZR/150 the last two years -9.5 and -3.9. Look beyond batting average when evaluating players.
JimCrikket for comment of the WEEK!!!!! Excellent JC.
“Castillo still plays everyday in NY batting around 280….why did Ryan make this move again”
Because playing on the Metrodome turf was about to make Castillo a double-leg amputee.
How about the FO propose Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra for Roy Halladay.
Who wouldn’t make a deal like that?
The Jays.
chinmusuic i like that trade offer.
How about the FO propose Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra for Roy Halladay.
Who wouldn’t make a deal like that?
PoD.
Maybe the Post of the Month, too.
“Who wouldn’t make a deal like that?”
A team who had leverage to escape being forced to make the trade.
Chief, that means alot coming from you.
But I really felt that JimC’s 11:48 had me beat in overall creativity.
I guess getting pummeled again at home by the Yanks brings out the best in all of us…
They could have kept Johan for 1 more year, and gotten picks. They did not need to accept 4 players, none of whom are MLB players after 18 months…(maybe gomez is, but we’ll never know if he only plays every other day).
They traded one of the 5 best SP in the game, and got no sure thing. Not one sure thing. It was a bad trade so far.
I thought it was a great post, very funny chinmusic.
Frankly, given Smith’s track record, I’m not sure I want him making any trades right now…..but the sample size is tiny….maybe he’ll upgress to the mean and make a good one.
Benny W says:
July 8th, 2009 at 10:45 am
“He dealt for Griffey last year at the deadline. Did Griffey contribute to winning one game the second half of the season that they wouldn’t have won otherwise? If so, then it kept them from finishing one game behind the Twins.”
Well, Griffey Jr. did throw out Cuddy at home in game 163. Does that count?
———-
This ofcourse is assuming whomever would have been playing in Grifey’s position would have not been able to throw out Cuddyer. This also doesn’t facotr in any other games where Griffey may have cost the team a game.
Pretty weak argument imo.
chinmusic says:
July 8th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
How about the FO propose Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra for Roy Halladay.
Who wouldn’t make a deal like that?
——————
Nice dig.
Derek….chin’s comment was tongue in cheek sarcasm, and I laughed. Relax, stop taking every comment as serious and gospel.
I guess getting pummeled again at home by the Yanks brings out the best in all of us…
You maybe.
It makes ME whiny, angry-at-the-world, and prone to quick judgements/rash statements.
Thanks for backing me up, Doc.
In this economy, with declining attendance at some stadiums, there should be more sellers than buyers after the ASG break.
The Twins are one team that can look ahead to revenue growth next year.
They are in an ideal situation to add talent for prospects.
I just hope that BS is asking himself;
What would Terry do?
something new today complaining about 2 year old trades!
nobody complaining about the bruno for herr trade today?
lets hope smith makes a trade soon so in the summer of 2011 we’ll have something newer to complain about.
please!!! let’s move on to the present!
Baker, Young and Buscher for Halladay.
Replace a #3 starter with a #1 starter and get rid of two problems in one fell swoop.
Chief…I do not get whiny, angry at the world, prone to things, I just frikking go to bed early and get up the next day.
“They could have kept Johan for 1 more year, and gotten picks…They traded one of the 5 best SP in the game, and got no sure thing. Not one sure thing.”
Which of the “picks” was the “sure thing”.
Kyle Gibson?
Aaron Hicks?
Ben Revere?
Chris Parmelee?
Matt Garza?
Trevor Plouffe?
Matt Moses?
Even Garza wasn’t a “sure thing” on draft day….much less in January before the draft.
Hey, bout this Hardy thing. I’ve followed the Twins off and on since their inception. I can’t remember a Twin’s SS with the kinda pop JJ’s got. With the exception of Smalley. But JJ’s D is lots better than Smalley’s. Who round here wouldn’t take the Smalley who played for the Twins right now? JJ’s gonna cost. Maybe a front line SP and prospects. So what. One of the things this org has historically done really well is groom pitchers.
“Replace a #3 starter with a #1 starter and get rid of two problems in one fell swoop.”
I’m sure the Jays are excited about picking up two problems and gaining a #3 starter for arguably the best starter in the AL.
But they are stupid, right?
In terms of our MI, I have three suggestions:
1)Get Casilla back up to play 2B.
2)Can Plouffe play 2B?
3)JJ Hardy buy low–excellent suggestion, especially given the Brewers have Escobar ready and their dire need for SP. Perkins and a prospect for Hardy would be a nice deal.
Gobble-
The past can provide prolouge…
If you want present- how does A.J freakin’ Burnett vs Glen Perkins tonight look to you?
NEWS FLASH: This just in, the Twins are not going to make a significant mid-season trade. They never do. All this trade talk is nothing more than pipedream fantasy.
Who has been “groomed really well” lately?
In looking at Hardy’s page on fangraphs, he’s still playing great defense, and still walking at a great rate. The last two years he’s hit 20+ HR, batted .280, and posted good UZR rates.
The fact that he’s batting .225 this year and Brewers need pitching and have a SS they view as untouchable in AAA….it’s the perfect situation.
“All this trade talk is nothing more than pipedream fantasy.”
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Pipedream fantasy.
I thinkg the Twins should look at John Garland and Felipe Lopez from the DBacks.
Garlands Record is not great 4-8 but he averages 6 innings per start and 3.4 runs per start. In 5 of his losses he has given up 3 or less runs. He could help our rotation and Lopez would cost alot less than Freddy Sanchez to fix 2nd base. Arizona is going to be a seller let us be the buyers.
coyotetom,
“Who has been “groomed really well” lately?”
How bout the starting 5?
“”"coyotetom says:
July 8th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Who has been “groomed really well” lately?”"”
My dog.
The centerpiece of any WS deal would have to be Gordon Beckham (last years first round pick and current 3rd base project). He’s been hitting well as of late after a slow start. Kenny said yesterday that’s not going to happen when pressed prior to their game vs. Cleveland. Another local analyst said Kenny’s MO is not to make a blockbuster at the trade deadline anyway (see all the names stated here - none of which bowl you over), but to add a small piece to help in the stretch run.
I personally would like to see Halliday go anywhere than the south side so I can hear all the Sox fans here complain the rest of the season. It’ll give them an excuse for why they come up just a bit short at the end.
It will actually be interesting to see what the Jays end up doing with Halladay.
They aren’t necessarily totally out of the race this season and still slightly above .500. But they’re certainly not expected to catch the teams in their division.
They have a CY-calibre pitcher a year and a half away from free agency that they doubt is interested in staying with the team beyond the end of his contract.
The Jays aren’t ready to go in to full “rebuilding” mode because they feel they still have a solid core of good players capable of contending next season and beyond (if not this season).
Wow, is this deja vu or what?
The Jays are essentially facing the same situation the Twins faced with Santana in mid year 2007 when Terry Ryan had the choice of admitting he was giving up on that season and putting Santana (and his no-trade clause) on the market then, waiting to see how negotiations went in the off season, or resigning himself to keeping Santana and pocketing the draft choices after the contract expired.
Of course, we all know now that Ryan found a 4th option… don’t trade Johan at mid season and then resign to let someone else figure out the rest.
But when you look at what the Twins went through, it’s pretty easy to understand why the Jays are open to listening to offers right now. If there really are a number of teams that might consider paying a steep price for a year and a half of his services, the difference between what they can get now (AND the number of teams he might approve a trade to) and the situation they could find themselves in during the post-season could be considerable.
The point is, the White Sox are willing to trade, and will try to get better. The Twins will not.
Yep. You’re right. The Twins never try to fix anything ever. They never attempted to bring in Bullpen help…certainly didn’t sign a new 3B, and didn’t even consider dropping the excess baggage once it started hampering performace.
Not that it matters if the Twins make a deal or not. Whoever they bring in would be the wrong guy anyway (or if it’s the right guy will have been at the cost of the wrong guys)
“Yep. You’re right. The Twins never try to fix anything ever”
well part of the statement is correct “The Twin’s never try to fix anything by spending decent money” would be the correct statement
Someone said: I’d like to see the Twins take a look at Pedro Martinez.
I think Pedro is done, but one thing he could bring to the team that no one else brings right now…he is not afraid of the Yankees.
The White Sox are an older team, if they want to give up the future for a shot at the postseason, they can go ahead. They can ask the Detroit Tigers how that worked out with a certain fella called John Smoltz. Trading high ceiling prospects for a 1 year shot can come back to bight you in the behind.
I dont think Baker was scared last night i just think he stunk and would’ve got lit up by any team. I really thought this would be a good year for Baker if he stayed healthy but it seems to me like he’s regressed in his development.
well part of the statement is correct “The Twin’s never try to fix anything by spending decent money” would be the correct statement
What is “decent money”? Is that like “overpaying”?
Because I’m pretty sure Punto thinks his new 2yr/8MM contract is decent enough.
Yeah, that’s decent T. That guy on the Vikings wants “decent” money also. Winfield (not Dave) got $36 Million last time, so I suppose he thinks he needs a raise.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4312989
Bartolo has gone missing.
I think what we need today is a whole ‘nother round of Bartolo headlines.
My entry:
Williams irked by unresponsive Colon
Sounds like Ozzie’s had a Colonectomy… his Colon is missing.
“The White Sox put Colon on the 15-day disabled list on June 9 with inflammation”
Inflamed Colon causes the White Sox to be covered with……!
I would love to see the Twins take a shot at Halliday. It wouldn’t hurt just to ask them what do you want? I would tell then that anyone in the organization is on the table except for Mauer, Morneau, Nathan, Slowey, and Blackburn.
the twins need a bonafide #1 starter on this team and should look at what it would take to land halladay. it may be too much but halladay is the real deal and the twins have to look to the reality budget ball sucks for every one, being just good enough to not be good enough to win it all is a waste of time stretch the budget and thinking in that front office while you have morneau and mauer in their prime(next 5-7 years) and go for it all which means taking some prudent risks for the right stuff to be in the heat of it in late october
“being just good enough to not be good enough to win it all is a waste of time stretch the budget and thinking in that front office while you have morneau and mauer in their prime(next 5-7 years) and go for it all which means taking some prudent risks for the right stuff to be in the heat of it in late october”
breathe……..
punctuation….
breathe……..
Williams Steaming Over Unknown Colon Movements
Williams Can’t Get Hands On Missing Colon Situation
Williams: Colon Missing; Foul Play?
Colon Gone; Stink Arising?
This stuff just writes itself.
Ricciardi said today that Halladay provided a “long list” of teams he won’t accept a trade to.
Whether we want to admit it or not, you can pretty much bet that any “long list” of teams that a major star would not be anxious to be traded to would include the Twins. At this point in his career, Halladay will want to go to a major market.
Headline:
“WILLIAMS AND GUILLEN PLACE HEADS UP COLON message on memo to White Sox affiiates”
Lets see giving up at lease 4 good players for a Halladay for 1/2 of this year and all of next season who will be payed 20 million next season and will be a free agent after that season and will be hard to sign to an extention does not look like a good move for the Twins for the following reasons.
1. Twins would have to give up Slowey or Blackburn our to best starters underteam control for a while.
2.20 million salary for 2010 the year that our All Star catcher becomes a Free Agent, so than the Twins would have to deside on who to sign Joe or the ace that you just traded away a boat load to get.
As much as I would like to see Halladay in a Twins uniform the prices is going to be to steep.
When I proceeded with a colonoscopy on Bartolo Colon, he asked me to tell his wife that I did not find his head up there.
“Williams raises stink over explosive Colon situation”
All I heard was a voice saying…”Can you hear me now?”
Ah, we’ve got the Colonisms rolling. It’s been too long.
“White Sox can’t find their Colon, which (strangely enough) will leave them with a giant hole in their rotation. In a related story, Twins have their asses handed to them by the Yankees.”
The Twins don’t tend to make deals for marquee players like Halladay unless the rest of the team looks ready to make a run. That would mean Gomez, Young, Harris, Punto, Tolbert and Buscher would have to start driving in runs instead of providing easy outs. Otherwise, what’s the point? A great pitcher with no run support is…Bert Blyleven. Roy Halladay doesn’t deserve such a fate. … Besides, the Twins pitching staff isn’t ready, either. The two pre-season “horses” (Baker and Liriano) have struggled, Perkins hurt his arm, Slowey hurt his wrist, Dickey has lost his knuckler, we’ve got new guys throughout the pen, and only Blackburn has looked consistently good. Roy Halladay would definitely help, but not enough to transform this immature team into a real contender.
jimbo, what are you really trying to say?
“The Twins don’t tend to make deals for marquee players like Halladay unless the rest of the team looks ready to make a run.”
Last night I thought that the Twins looked ready to run.
Unfortunately, the backdoor to the dugout was locked.
Paul - Do you think the stating 5 were “groomed really well?” Just because they came from within does not not they were groomed really well. They are the best (and most are getting better) of a bunch of good prospects.
starting 5
does not mean
typos
Perkins is sick tonight. Swarzak starting instead. More in this later.
via Kelsie Smith on Twitter
“jimbo, what are you really trying to say?”
“Roy Halladay would definitely help, but not enough to transform this immature team into a real contender.”
I would say that jimbo made it very clear what he had to say.
I understood him sane. I just thought he should share some of his periods with jims.
len3 just posted the perkins sick swarzak in note. it’s confirmed.
I never said the draft picks were sure things, but thanks for putting words in my mouth. I said they traded for 4 guys and got nothing so far. I also said they could have had Santana for another year (but I’m sure having him on the team would not have helped win 1 more game last year). I did say that they would also have then received two draft picks. At NO POINT did I say they’d use those wisely or not.
It was a bad trade. I don’t know how anyone can deny that at this point.
As for not trying to get a high priced pitcher, because the Twins aren’t good enough anyway, what is the prospect of getting better? Who in the minors makes you go - “man, I can’t wait until he comes up and plays (LF, RH DH, 2B, SS)”? Who in the minors makes you say “this guy looks like an ace, a starter they can build around”? They have some nice prospects, but not a lot of superstars (and the Twins themselves said that before the draft last year - this isn’t just me talking, but the Twins brass).
Having a team with three-four very good (two great) hitters, and three -four of the worst hitters in baseball is no way to win (especially if your starters are all number 2-4 types, on their good days).
T, Sane, is there anything I could say that you would ever agree with, or is this getting personal for you? If its personal, maybe its time I just stop coming here.
Mike-
Your analysis is “spot on!”
mike,
Disagreeing is never personal.
Ask my family and friends.
It was a bad trade without a doubt.
But a good trade was never likely with Santana’s contract demands and veto power as part of the scenario.
If you feel that I am getting personal, I will agree to not comment on any of your comments in the future.
And that would not be personal,either.
nope, was just checking, sane. I usually like your comments, even when they disagree with me. It’s been a very stressful two days at work, maybe I’m bringing that stress and paranoia here with me….I too am often accused of being personal, when all I’m doing is disagreeing….
yes, it would be hard to make a good trade, that’s likely true
A good trade usually involves having a good GM. I’m not sure if there is one to be found around “Twins territory” at this point.
Bill Smith appears to be learning on the job and so far,…
Perkins sick?
Prolly nothing to do with last night. Might have the Hini Flu though, hope it doesn’t spread through the clubhouse.
“HOLY TOILET SEATS BATMAN”
“COLON HAS US FLUSHED AGAIN!”
****
New Colon Developments; Williams directed to ‘go lightly’.
I agree there was little chance of a “good trade” for Santana that off-season, for all the obvious reasons.
What is it about Halladay’s situation, though, that makes people think the Jays should be able to do what the Twins couldn’t… make a “good trade” for a CY ace a year away from free agency with a full no-trade clause in his contract?
Halladay doesn’t and won’t negotiate extensions until the offseason.
Toronto already has publicly admitted they won’t be in a position to offer a new contract (even the Twins at least publicly held out that possibility).
Halladay is already significantly limiting which teams he’d approve a trade to.
On top of that, the Jays say they won’t give teams a window during which to negotiate an extension with Halladay.
Is it really simply that the Jays are more willing to take the draft picks and let their guy walk than the Twins were? Does that give them so much more leverage that they can command a premium that the Twins couldn’t get for Santana?
All this trade speculation is great fun, but there’s really only one legitimate question here: Are the Yankees going to squeeze Halladay in between Sabatia and Burnett, or just slide him in behind Pettite? (Colon references aside)
“All this trade speculation is great fun”
If the Yankees are making the trade, the fun disappears quickly.
I heard the Jays want a deal from the Yankees that begins with both Phillip Hughes and Ian Kennedy but Cashman feels those two guys are the future of the organization and thus are untouchable.
Oh… wait a minute…
Don’t blame the Yankees for having the balls to spend money to improve.
sane, at 2:41 mentioned: “”"
“”"I would say that jimbo made it very clear what he had to say.”"”
That, sane, was my point.
Doc,
Gotcha.
Apparently I was the only one who wasn’t clear.
Since we all know trading for “Doc” Halliday is a pipe dream, how about some realistic trade speculation?
What about looking at Adam Kennedy to shore up second base, and keep LNP on the bench? He’s batting .295, has a little pop, and he’s a veteran with post-season experience. The A’s are 11-games out and should be in selling mode, and Kennedy’s contract isn’t a problem for the Twins. Downside he’s another lefthanded batter, and although he looks like a natural for the two-hole, do you really want a lineup with lefty-lefty-lefty-lefty in 2 through 5-spots? Although, Kennedy would probably sit against left-handed pitchers. Comments…
“Don’t blame the Yankees for having the balls to spend money to improve.”
that gets back to the evergreen topic of the inherent advantage of their massive tv rights and advertising dollars.
Comments?
I (and maybe a couple of other Twins fans) HATE Adam Kennedy.
Remember the Angels?
October 13, 2002?
..2002 ALCS MVP?
…THREE Home runs into RF seats?
…..Becoming clearer?
I still say that the Mafia, CIA, Castro, whoever shot the wrong Kennedy.
Yes, I do remember. That’s what I’m saying. Don’t let personal feelings get in the way… would you so no to CC just because he owns the Twins?
mickey…..$201M versus <$75M….. The Jankees should win every game and go 162-0.
That’s “say no”, and it’s Sabathia, not Rider
A Kennedy trade wouldn’t be a blockbuster, but sometimes it just takes a little tweeking to put a team over the hump.
“I (and maybe a couple of other Twins fans) HATE Adam Kennedy.”
brings to mind the old saying: keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
“but sometimes it just takes a little tweeking to put a team over the hump.”
How high is this particular hump?
And how did you feel about Don Baylor when the Twins picked him up during the stretch run in ‘87…? I seem to remember a couple of key hits, including a dinger or two in the World Series! Not that Kennedy is another Don Baylor.
How high is LNP when he’s diving toward 1st base?
coyotetom,
“Paul - Do you think the stating 5 were “groomed really well?” Just because they came from within does not not they were groomed really well. They are the best (and most are getting better) of a bunch of good prospects.”
Yes I do believe the starting 5 are groomed really well. Groomed well to me means an awareness and respect of the import of:
Attitude
Effort
Conduct on and off the field
Good work habits
Proper mechanics
Respect for oneself,teammates, community and the game
In short I mean they are positioned to be the best ballplayer and teammate they can be.
I did not mean to imply the 5 were super players. Only that the team can generally get the best out of its help.(Delmon and Lexi notwithstanding.)
I always respected Don Baylor.
Tough SOB who got hit a hundred times for his team, but when a pitcher buzzed his tower, he glared at the poor jerk.
Confrontation over!
He was a SCARY man!
Hey Doc! If it’s only partially removed, does that make it a semi-Colon?
You got it, Transplant…. Period.
I think the Twins need a few more guys like Baylor to get over this Yankee jinx… it really does seem like the Bronx Bankers are in the Twins’ heads! I would like to see them come out with some real fire and anger tonight. Burnett can be had…
coyotetom,
Forgot a couple things pitcher specific.
The 2 seamer low
The 4 seamer high
Changing speeds
would you so no to CC just because he owns the Twins?
I’d be thrilled if CC was a Twin.
However, I could not, under any circumstances, stomach seeing that no-good, dirty rotten scoundrel Adam Kennedy in a Twins uniform.
No way, no how.
He is the epitome of evil, as far as I’m concerned.
Play-by-play I would like to hear tonight:
Gordon: “Touch ‘em all, Justin Morneau, a 3-run homer and the Twins lead 5 to nothing!”
Gladden: “Pop up to right center field (pause - pause) and it’s gone! Jason Kubel with another Twins dinger and it’s now 7-0 Twins!”
Gladden cracks me up!
Chief, I disagree… the epitome of evil, as far as I am concerned, is any player on any team that is playing the Twins at any time.
I will now defer to Chief and Sane and refrain from any further Adam Kennedy talk. Didn’t mean to cause a flare up of an old wound!
If you have not yet done so, you need to go back to JimCrikket’s 11:48 post. Congrats to JC, I nominate that for Post of the Year.
Whitesox can beat Kansas and Cleveland thats awesome. When they play stiff competition they suck. The problem is they do have good pitching and they kinda have the twins #. I’m not worried about them. WE NEED A SECOND BASEMAN. WE NEED ANOTHER BAT IN THE LINE-UP. IS BILLY SMITH GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP THIS CLUB? NO. HE WILL PICK UP ANOTHER FRINGE PLAYER AND HOPE HE PAMS OUT. LIKE THEY ALWAYS DO.
edaw… Can you yell louder please?
How about BJ Ryan in relief.
Just released by Blue Jay
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/jays-release-ryan/article1211090/
Why is Gomez playing again??? For Christ sake. Just put Delmon in there, send Gomez down, and let’s see what we can do. And trade for a 2B already. Or, sign a FA 2B. This is ridiculous. As long as the Twins field a line-up with those two clowns in it, they won’t be a serious contender. And, as long as Gardy manages this team–as long as he lives in utter fear of the big bad Yankees and paces back and forth and talks of “a super ballclub” and all that garbage–this team will never beat the Yankees. His career record against that team is abysmal, and if we want to make a run at a World Championship during the prime of Morneau, Mauer, Cuddy, Kubel, and Nathan, they’d best get rid of this staff. It’s overrated, and totally incapable of anything great.
Christ sake…at least the Wild have some balls.
does anyone know if its possible to get twins broadcasts on a cell phone?
Lala72….You are on a roll, and no one is listening….. chill.
doc- I dont think edaw can get much louder but if Im sure its not from lack of trying
Do you understand how lucky you are to have a couple of good teams to talk about? Try living in KC.
