Tuesday update: Mauer wins second Gold Glove Award
Posted on November 10th, 2009 – 3:15 PMBy Joe Christensen
CHICAGO — An update from Day 2 of the GM Meetings:
(*) Twins catcher Joe Mauer won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award today. Other AL winners included 1B Mark Teixeira, 2B Placido Polanco, 3B Evan Longoria, SS Derek Jeter, OF Adam Jones, OF Ichiro Suzuki, OF Torii Hunter, P Mark Buehrle.
(*) The GMs went about an hour long in their morning session, from 8:30 a.m., to about 1:30 p.m., and apparently did not discuss expanding instant replay. Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB’s executive vice president of baseball operations, briefed the media and said Commissioner Bud Selig isn’t interested in expanding replay at this time, noting that MLB has only had replay for boundary calls since August 2008. Selig is methodical about change, and apparently the GMs who advocate using more replay kept their thoughts to themselves.
(*) The Twins re-instated three righthanded pitchers from the 60-day disabled list: Boof Bonser, Pat Neshek and Kevin Slowey.
(*) Bill Smith and the other 29 GMs will be available to the media at 3:30. I’ll have more in tonight’s first editions.
122 Responses to "Tuesday update: Mauer wins second Gold Glove Award"
Thanks, Joe, keep us filled in.
Jeter? makes the award look worthless!
I’d agree with you, GobbeldyGook, but since this award isn’t fan-voting-based- like the All-Star Team- I can’t. I don’t think it makes the award worthless… maybe “worth less than it would be if it were given to a more deserving shortstop…”
sorry i’m sure mr jeter deserved the award like the other winners.
Hunter makes this award look worthless
not one of those three outfielders is one of the top three outfielders in the American League.
Hunter again?
“Hunter makes this award look worthless”
Hunter makes it on fearlessness.(of walls or collisions)
Courage rewarded.
Coaches and managers pick the gold glove awards. They do a better job than the media, fans or stat observers.
Thanks for the update, Joe C.
Just read about the Twins adding Morillo to the 40 man. Hahaha.
Did you notice that Polanco got the Gold Glove for 2nd base? I say that BS should go after him and hopefully we can make it work. I would love to see him batting 2nd behind Denard in our everyday lineup.
Sid says that the Twins are interested in OCab for second base and Punto at third. Why would they give that t u r d another chance to be full time at the hot corner? That makes as much sense as trying Cuddy at third again.
I think this award is given on reputation as much as it is for talent at the position.
polanco is a type a free agent and the twins don’t give up draft picks. only hope to get him is the tigers don’t offer him arb.
i think i’d rather have them get a 3b so punto doesn’t end up the every day 3b. i can maybe live with him at 2b.
long sigh of resignation!!!
While I understand that there are valid arguments on both sides of the instant replay debate, I find it amazing that they chose not to even talk about it, particularly in light of the some of the more obvious errors made during the 2009 post season.
I’m asking this in several places just to see if anyone has a good notion: who is the 4th OF next year? Pridie is the only CF in the organization and I’m not a huge fan. But if he isn’t it then it looks like we go outside. Given how many injuries we’ve had recently, and given that the guys are going to be running into new and unfamiliar walls for a year it would seem that the 4th OF could play a significant role for us.
Chris E: Jason Kubel
OK, rephrase as backup CF.
Jeter can keep his Gold Gloves while Mauer and Morneau collect MVP’s, though I’m sure the M&M boys would like one of Jeter’s WS rings.
I read someone commenting that Hardy is slower than Prince Fielder. This team has a serious speed deficit right now.
The fielding is also ugly at LF, RF, 1B and SS.
Does this guy Hardy have a name? JJ is okay for a child, but he is a grown man.
Chris E: Nick Punto?
Nick Punto = Back-up CF. He can play anywhere, just say the word.
Backup OF/CF’s can be had on the cheap this year:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/2010-mlb-free-a.html
If you want a quality OF who can play all 3 OF positions and can bring a little offense, I’d take a flier on Baldelli
Punto would be at CF if needed; DY had played CF ages ago, but that won’t happen with Gardy…
Tolbert can play some OF as well.
If they did not even discuss the replay deal after this last postseason, I sense a flat-out ANTI-directive from ‘ol man Bud. Meaning, don’t waste your time.
(Not to affend any other ‘ol men on this blog, cuz I’m fast approaching initiation:)
It HAS to be Pridie. We have to show something from the Bartlett trade.
Why not have Tolbert as the back-up CF? He has the speed and he seems athletic enough - it should be a somewhat easy transition as you see guys drafted shortstops and then convert to decent centerfielders or outfielders in general. It would also allow the Twins to save a roster spot.
Punto will be the everday 3B next year if the Twins sign a 2B (I’m hoping Polanco as well - I’ve read that it doesn’t look like the Tigers will offer Polanco arbitration as they do not have much money to spend and they have a 2B in the minors ready to play (if he gets healthy)). Bill Smith said that he had a meeting with Cabrera letting him know they are letting him go, so I don’t know what Sid was talking about - then again I don’t know where he gets half of his stuff anyways.
JJ Hardy is a much above average defensive SS. Plus Morneau has gotten himself to an average level 1B. Not sure where your information is coming from.
Punto and Tolbert could play center field in a pinch because they are good athletes, but they have almost no outfield experience. They could back-up the back-up center-fielder.
Bunting Twin,
Perhaps you should ask CC Sabathia about using only initials for a first name - I’m sure he’d give you a nice civil answer.
Pridie or Brandon Roberts could be the back-up center-fielder. Either could also be a late inning defensive replacement for Young. They could also pinch run, something this slow-footed, plodding team needs.
“Tolbert……it would also allow the Twins to save a roster spot.”
~ For Sundays.
Anyone remember U L Washington? The guy actually had no name. The U and the L stood for nothing.
I remember U L. Did the toothpick stand for anything?
“JJ Hardy is a much above average defensive SS.”
He has lead in his boots. Sad state of affairs in baseball if he is above average.
I remember the toothpick. It stood for his fearlessness at having a toothbick driven into his tongue or mouth by a baseball.
you ever heard of side-to-side speed? he’s not so much straight ahead speed as he is able to pivot and move side-to-side in his zone. plus, he gets to as many balls as gold glover Jeter outside the SS zone, so that says something.
Or else it was proof of his stupidity. One of the two.
Yeah, Matt. Maybe they can grow the grass about six inches long in the infield to give two Js a chance.
I haven’t seen much of Hardy myself, but every report I read on the trade indicated Hardy was a good defensive SS. I expect that’s what we’ll see.
Travesty. Gerald Laird was easily the best defensive catcher in the AL. Mauer is very good obviously….but his offensive season won this award today.
mark derosa would make the most sense. he plays 3b, 2b and the outfield. save a spot for a bench bat not needing the 5th of’r. get a guy like mike sweeney cheap, he can play 6-8 games at 1b, right handed dh and pinch hit. we could use a good bat off the bench for once. of course he’d spend 1/2 the yr on the dl.
The people who vote for gold glove awards have turned it in to a total joke. It’s too bad, too… because guys who truly DO play great defense deserve to be recognized. Instead, once you win the award the first time, they just pencil you in for the rest of your career. It’s too bad.
Nice to hear that the GMs, collectively, have no balls. Surely SOMEONE could have the guts to suggest Selig might be… you know… WRONG!
I guess letting him pretend he has authority over something like ‘instant replay’ is the price they agree to pay in order to keep in impotent in terms of any issue that really matters… like drugs or equitable payrolls.
Its amazing how many super-scouts we have on these blogs who can assess that Hardy is crummy defensively by citing his stolen base numbers, but never having seen him play, read scouting reports on him, or checked out his defensive range stats (all of which attest to him being easily a top-third defensive SS if not better).
Morneau has also become a top-third defensive 1B (although I’m not as giddy about him as the Twins’ announcers are)
Having good hands, a strong arm and positioning yourself right can overcome some physical limitations. Reading the ball quickly off the bat helps. Some plays though, a slow guy like Hardy can’t make (bloops, pop flys down the line, etc.). Those are the plays a swift sprinter makes. That isn’t Hardy.
JJ’s not a fast runner but has great range and good hands. His range is probably a function of superior eyesight. Like the best CFers. Watch Hunter sometime. He often starts moving well before the ball is hit. After a playoff game he was quoted as saying he saw the catcher’s sign for FB away to Arod. He said he felt like calling timeout. He knew Arod would mash that pitch.
He saw that from like 300+ ft away.
Stolen base numbers have nothing to do with it. Gagne was a bad base stealer, but he flew all over the field making plays.
Being a slow runner (I’ve never had a stopwatch on Hardy, personally, but we’ll go with that) does not mean you lack foot speed. To get to be a major league SS, you have to be an exceptional athlete. There’s no way around that.
Silly debate. You’re all just letting someone who lives to project negativity in whatever manner they can affect you. That’s pointless.
Gold gloves have never meant that much. They’re won on reputation, and rarely does a player’s offense not get taken into consideration.
If Hardy makes most all the routine plays and shows a strong accurate arm, he could rise to the level of mediocrity. If he hits big, he could be considered as an average overall player, but he would have to really hit big.
I think the Brewers didn’t consider Hardy a major league player anymore. The Twins felt the same about Gomez. I think the were both right. It’s the old change of scenery thing.
“If Hardy makes most all the routine plays and shows a strong accurate arm, he could rise to the level of mediocrity. If he hits big, he could be considered as an average overall player, but he would have to really hit big.”
Now that there’s funny.
Is there any award in sports dumber than the Gold Glove? Has anyone actually watched Placido Polanco play second base? They must be awarding GG’s based on ability to foul off pitches with two strikes now instead of being able to laterally move 5 feet in each direction and then bend over to pick up a baseball.
Gomez’ agent Scott Boras did not want Gomez in the minors. The Twins didn’t have that option. They knew he wasn’t a major leaguer, so they had to get rid of him.
Hardy was crying when he was sent to AAA where he belonged. The Brewers had to get rid of him. The trade was a match made in heaven.
Bill Smith is postering like he acquired a great shortstop. He didn’t. Both these guys probably never deserved to play a single game in the major leagues.
“Both these guys probably never deserved to play a single game in the major leagues.”
I didn’t think you could top that other one. Good job.
Do people here really think that Bill Smith acquired a top major league shorstop for a guy who has never shown any indication of being a major league hitter? A guy who throws to the wrong base, has an inaccurate arm, runs goofy routes, makes base-running blunders, and plays all-around bonehead baseball?
okay twins fans, i have my thoughts, but i want to know what yall think about nathan….do we just flat out keep him and go another year or do we trade him for some starting talent and a prospect or two…..i dont think his value will ever be better than it is right now…i know myself that i dont want to go another season, dreading the ninth innings like i did the last two months of this past season…i believe we have talent in the minors and maybe even rauch or neshek can take over…what are your thoughts, as this is a very pivotal time for the twins…i wonder what bill s has said or thinks on this matter …anyone know???
medschoolmatt: I agree with you that the gold glove award is given as much for reputation as talent.
Nathan isn’t (and shouldn’t be) going anywhere. I’m not counting on Neshek for anything this season until he proves he can still pitch effectively.
what about fernando rodney in a twins uniform under r. anderson…although last season he was under a former twins pitching guru……..
“…but i want to know what yall think about nathan”
He’s one of the best. There are no secure replacements for him — including Rodney, who gets knocked around all too often.
And Nathan got rocked around too often because of that 50+ pitch game v. KC after which he was never the same.
And this isn’t a rebuilding year.
I still think we go with Nathan. while its intriguing what we could get for him, and we might save some money, there isn’t anyone in the organization right now that can pick it up. I think the pohlads can stomach that money since they got their stadium and were too cheap to buy a roof for it…
i guess i am just afraid that if we start the year with nathan, we are stuck with him, as the twins have this loyalty thing(which isnt all bad at times) and we will be hung with him all season, good and bad…i just think its hit and miss with him from here on in, and i could be wrong as hell and he could have 55 saves next year i guess…just dont know…but i sure would like to see two starters to go with slowey, blackburn, and baker….maybe pavano and would love to see josh johnson…that would make a pretty nice 1-5….and im not sure who would make up the pen, crain, guerrier??? nathan, rauch, liriano, duensing,bonser, mijares, perkins, swarzak, manship, morillo….obviously someone has to go…we should have some trading chips amongst some of these also i would think….bill smith sure has some things to think about, but i am glad to see him out front anyway, trying to put this thing together…should be fun to watch
The Gold Gloves are a joke. Jeter won another one? I could name five SS in the AL more deserving. And Teixeira? This is probably the biggest injustice year in, year out now. The guy’s not even in the same league as “The Magician,” Carlos Pena. And the outfield selections…as much as I love Torii and Ichiro, the only guy in that outfield better than Denard Span MIGHT be Adam Jones. It’s sad how Span gets so little respect. In fact, all in all, I think he’s a superior CF to Gomez, because there’s no guessing with Span! You know he’ll take a great route; you know he’ll chase down almost anything; and you know he’ll throw it to the right cut-off man, even if he doesn’t have a cannon attached to his shoulder.
Mauer’s selection was right on; there’s not a better catcher on earth. But some of these other choices…it’s like they selected them using all-star voting rules.
this will add another 3 mill a year to Mauers projected annual salary
Unfortunately, the Gold Glove is also awarded based on offensive prowess. Not officially of course, but players who are absolutely great defensive players and terrible offensive players never seem to win. I like Mauer, but that one catcher on Detroit is actually a better defensive catcher, but his bat stinks. Same with Jeter. You telling me hes the best defensive SS in the league? Hes good, but not the best
I think Youkilis may have gotten it but a) its Teixera, he’s the savior in NY and b) he played a considerable amount of games at other positions ie 3B
in 77 games, Youkillis only had one error. in a full season, Texiera had 4. all of Youkilis’ numbers were similar or better. and I bet there are other teams with 1B with similar or better stats than Texiera’s as well. not sure who though.
here we go……
Coaches and managers pick the gold glove awards. They do a better job than the media, fans or stat observers.
Like when they gave a DH a gold glove in ‘99?
LOL, what agent doesn’t want his player in the majors? Who cares what the agent wants? Agents have no control over that. Boras was not the reason Gomez was in the majors. That is a pretty big claim with no evidence to support it.
“Gomez’ agent Scott Boras did not want Gomez in the minors. The Twins didn’t have that option. They knew he wasn’t a major leaguer, so they had to get rid of him.”
Is there anyone here that is ignorant enough to believe that load of bull-@#$%????
Don’t have the exact stats….but in the last couple weeks of the regular season, Tolbert hit something like .280 while Punto was around .220.
Again, Punto should not be starting at 3B with his weakening arm and suspect bat.
And Tolbert better be on the 25-man come opening day. But he isn’t your 3B starter either — unless a Polanco or OC starts at 3B.
I wonder if Casilla will see some playing time in ST at SS — his natural position. I wonder how he’d respond there both in the field and at the plate.
“unless a Polanco or OC starts at 3B.”
I meant start at 2B.
I remember the account of Hrbek training himself in high school during the winter. He’d swing 300-500 times vs. a pitching machine every day at the school.
Why can’t guys like Punto, Tolbert, Casilla, OC, Gomez, Hardy, Span, and even Kubel, Young and others do something like that — but make it 300-500 bunts a day.
You know…….get good with it. Have fun with it. Break the winter monotony. Become more professional.
Brandon Phillips for 2b anyone? Add him to Hardy and Gang and we could play Matt Moses at 3b and live with it!
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/reds-to-cut-payroll-big-names-could-be-dealt.html
If you want some good stats on the gold gloves, go to joe posnanski’s blog and read about Adam Jones vs Guterriez. Even if you, for some bizarre reason, think that people that watch and chart every play in all of baseball every year are off on their assessment of defense, can they be that far off? Jones wasn’t even league average.
Jeter wasn’t bad this year. this year, he MAY have been deserving of the gold glove. I’m not sure why we’d trust managers to vote. How many games, that their team does not play in, do they watch? I’d guess not many.
As for Nathan, really? Have you looked at the stats? The guy has been the best or 2nd best late inning pitcher in all of MLB for 2-3 years. Yes, there were some nerve wracking moments and collapses, but the odds of finding someone even 2/3 as good as him are pretty slim. Very slim.
This team should be trying to win NOW. Mauer, Morneau, Span, Kubel are healhty and very good. Cuddy is good. Hardy can play D. They can score with most any team in baseball. The rest of the division stinks. Why would you weaken your team now?
Scott Boras had nothing to do with the Twins keeping Gomez in the Majors. That said, if you think the fact that Gomez is a Boras client had nothing to do with the Twins’ willingness to give Gomez up, you’re kidding yourself.
From the moment he was brought in, there was literally no chance the Twins would keep him through the arbitration years and in to free agency.
Lets remember that Nathan had elbow surgery right after the season. I highly doubt that it was a result of just his last outing. Tells me that he wasn’t 100% for quite some time, and he still got the job done better than most. I look forward to the repaired Joe Nathan being back to his dominant self in 2010
I doubt the fact that Gomez had Boras for an agent mattered in the trade. The Twins still had a number of years of player control. For that matter, Boras represents Joe Crede and also Adrian Beltre, a player many Twins fans have wished could be play here.
in addition, it didn’t seem to deter the Twins from accepting Gomez as a player in the Mets trade.
Is Cra..I mean Bunting Twins still getting people riled up?
Ignore the troll people. He’ll go away (and come back with yet another name) eventually.
—–
As far as the GGs go, it’s mostly based on who the incumbant is. If Mauer continues to play well he likely will never NOT win it.
Jeter as a Gold Glove though is a tremendous joke. I have never seen a shortstop so afraid to actually dive after a ball. In the playoffs alone there were a dozen or so plays that Jeter just feebily swiped his glove at.
Also, forget what Sid said.
Hardy is SS. I don’t know how I feel about OCab at 2B, but I know it’s better than Punto.
And since they already went and got Hardy…if they signed Cabrera to play 2B than I would have faith in them to either go with Valencia at 3B or find somebody new to take that role coming out of Spring.
I’d rather have Punto at 2b. He is better than Cabrera defensively and, since 2010 is an even number, he will have a decent year with the bat as well.
Who has a better chance of being a Twin in 2011 - Joe Mauer or Nick Punto?
Boras represents Joe Crede and also Adrian Beltre, a player many Twins fans have wished could be play here.
Not to mention the Twins actually signed Crede, and according to reports were actively (if not still actively) trying to aquire Beltre.
Boras represents Joe Crede and also Adrian Beltre, a player many Twins fans have wished could be play here.
Not to mention the Twins actually signed Crede, and according to reports were actively (if not still actively) trying to aquire Beltre.
Jeter wins Gold Glove. In related news, Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize
Goemz was moved because he was more valuable than Young. I doubt the Brewers make the very same deal for Young. If they did, I suspect Gomez would still be a Twin.
Just my opinion.
What would Gardy do if BS was to sign a 2B and 3B, say Beltre and Polanco? Gardy would be in an awful pinch to get Punto in the lineup.
“Goemz was moved because he was more valuable than Young. I doubt the Brewers make the very same deal for Young”
The Brewers needed a CF replacement for Cameron.
The Twins had an excess of CF’s (Span-Gomez)
Young did not fit in the trade, certainly not for the Brewers.
Aaron,
The Brewers wanted pitching first and then a CF replacement for Cameron. According to their GM they took the deal with the best potential available to them. As I recall you are a fan of Gomez. Perhaps you will agree with me on this. I think Gomez will be allstar level in 3 or 4 years.
sane,
I would’ve beat you but I always wait a couple of minutes so you can answer first.
Paul,
I think Gomez has a chance to be an All Star in the next couple years. As much as I love Gomez this was the right deal for the Twins. With that being said, it does have the potential to look like a bad trade in a few years. However, the potential is not reality and we got a heck of a good player that has some upside himself.
So yes, I do think Gomez has a chance to be an all star in the near future. I just think it was a good trade for both teams.
Paul,
“I would’ve beat you but I always wait a couple of minutes so you can answer first”
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my slow reflexes and lack of typing skills.
In other news from the BA Minor League Transactions:
“Minnesota Twins
Released: C Jeff Christy, OF Ozzie Lewis
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: 3B Brian Buscher
Lewis won MVP honors in the Appalachian League just two seasons ago, batting .323/.375/.523 with nine homers in 62 games. The Twins made him a 21st-round pick from Fresno State in ’07.”
A little surprising that the Twins decided that there was no future for either player, but they see them every day.
There’s a difference between being willing to talk to Boras about his FA clients and dealing with him on young players on the verge of escaping serfdom.
Of course, the Twins will discuss Crede, Beltre, etc. with Boras. But don’t forget, Crede wasn’t signed until the 11th hour and only then when it was pretty clear he and his agent had few, if any, other options.
But young Boras clients do not sign multi-year deals that allow teams to buy out a year or two of free agency. His clients almost always wait it out and go on the open market at first opportunity.
No, being a Boras client wasn’t the reason Gomez was traded to Milwaukee. But I believe he was almost certainly going to be traded within the next couple of years, if he played well enough to have any value on the market.
Aaron,
The reason I said 3 or 4 years was because of the slow progress to date. You may very well be right. Someone may just get the light to turn on for this kid. All the building blocks appear to be there. One thing I have noticed though. He seems to lack the fantastic eyesight the best CFers seem to possess. He seems to pick up the ball late sometimes. Makes up for it by gettin to the ball quicker than anybody though.
I agree this trade was good for both teams. I’m a huge fan of JJ. Like a highbred of Smalley and Gagne if he returns to pre 09 performance. People don’t realize he put up corner OF numbers in 07 & 08. At SS. With plus D. I don’t think the Twins have had a plus plus SS since Zoilo.
I’m feelin giddy.
From MLB Trade Rumors:
The Rockies are trying to trade Garrett Atkins. If and when they fail, they’ll release him. So rather than wait until the December 12th non-tender deadline, Atkins should join the free agent ranks by November 20th at the latest. The Rangers have “moderate interest” in Atkins, according to Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News.
Here’s another guy that was a “give up anything” type last season now apparently up for grabs.
Would the Twins be better trying to deal now (they would have some leverage against the Rockies) or let him hit the market and only lose cash?
What would Gardy do if BS was to sign a 2B and 3B, say Beltre and Polanco? Gardy would be in an awful pinch to get Punto in the lineup.
Gardy wouldn’t put Punto in the lineup.
Can we discuss ACTUALLY stuff instead of continually making up reasons to get pissed off about Punto?
What would Gardy do if BS was to sign a 2B and 3B, say Beltre and Polanco? Gardy would be in an awful pinch to get Punto in the lineup.
Simple, He would Dh Beltre against lefties and play Punto at 3rd.
Ant T, starting to think Atkins might be the better option at 3rd then beltre.
Atkins is a guy we should bring in. The guy can swing the bat. I don’t know what happened to him, but I like his potential. Can’t hurt and he won’t be real expensive.
Simple, He would Dh Beltre against lefties and play Punto at 3rd.
False.
Beltre would start at 3B, Polanco at 2B. Kubel would DH…as Young/Span/Cuddyer is now your starting OF. Hardy of course is at SS.
It’s a moot point as BS will respect Gardy’s desire to have Punto in the lineup and won’t acquire both a 2B and 3B.
“It’s a moot point as BS will respect Gardy’s desire to have Punto in the lineup and won’t acquire both a 2B and 3B.”
Oh right, like Gardy is going to get pissed off if he gets a significant upgrade over Punto, at both positions.
ES16,
Gardy would love upgrades all over. With that being said, he did say he is planning on playing Punto every day at either 2b or 3rd.
I think what Gardy is saying is he only needs 1 additional upgrade in the infield and he would rather them focus on the pitching staff. He is very happy to play Nick Punto everyday and thinks that is a winning combination.
I think it is safe to say this is how he feels. Right or wrong. I tend to think he is right actually. We can afford Nick Punto in the lineup every day if your 8 hole hitting is J.J Hardy or Atkins. That is pretty damn good.
Let’s focus on pitching after we plug 3rd or 2nd.
I don’t know that Atkins is the guy we want to go after. Not good on D and was really bad at the plate last year. His nummbers started to decline in ‘08. He’ll be 30 in December. Oh, yeah, and his home/away stats, even when he was putting up good numbers, were awful.
“Do people here really think that Bill Smith acquired a top major league shorstop for a guy who has never shown any indication of being a major league hitter?”
This might be one of the most preposterous statements of 2009. In 2007, Hardy hit .277, 26 HR’s and 80 RBI’s….in 2008, he hit .280, 24 HR’s and 74 RBI’s. Bunting Twins, are you saying this shows no indication of being a major league caliber hitter? You’ve got to be kidding me! I don’t know of any Minnesota SS that has EVER had that good of hitting stats.
JJ may not be perfect, but remember this team is short 2-3 players from being a serious contender - we don’t have much to give up without hurting ourselves in another area we also really need. Getting a former All-star with a chance of having another 2007/2008 year for this team is about as good as it gets.
No one knows how this trade will turn out over time but on paper this appears to be one of the best transactions this team has made from a risk-reward standpoint since the Pierzinski/Nathan et al trade.
“The Tigers are letting teams know center fielder Curtis Granderson is available, according to an NL executive who talked to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.”
This is it. The 1 piece that would fix the OF D. And the 2 hole.
Maybe they’d take Delmon and Perkins?
I would not have any interest in Granderson. Can not hit lefties at all and Span is better in the field
It’s a moot point as BS will respect Gardy’s desire to have Punto in the lineup and won’t acquire both a 2B and 3B.
Which is BS, since in his first offseason as GM, Smith aquired Harris for 2B, signed Everett for SS, and Lamb for 3B.
Smith is just fine giving Gardy options other than Punto.
Maybe they’d take Delmon and Perkins?
So if Young is currently a “downgrade” from Granderson…why would they accept Young and send their division rival an upgrade?
Gardy would love upgrades all over. With that being said, he did say he is planning on playing Punto every day at either 2b or 3rd.
Why wouldn’t he be planning that? Gardy only can plan with what he has on the roster now.
That’s part of what will help Smith decide where moves need to be made. If Gardy says: “Right now I see Punto as being 2B or 3B everyday”, Smith knows that Gardy needs at least ONE person to fill the other position and likely TWO people to have what he feels is a legitimate upgrade.
But you will never see Gardy say: “Well I hope Smith goes and gets a better MIF because I don’t have anybody that can play that now.”
T,
“So if Young is currently a “downgrade” from Granderson…why would they accept Young and send their division rival an upgrade?”
$$$$$$$
The Yankees are going to be interested in Granderson. You think they could offer something a little more tantalizing than Delmon and Perk?
The Twins don’t need any more left-handed hitters anyway.
$$$$$$$
That still doesn’t compensate for the fact you’ve now sent your rival an upgrade that will potentially come bite you in the ass 18 times a year.
Haha….
1:19pm: The Giants and Orioles are showing the most interest in Dan Uggla, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Those clubs would move Uggla to third base, a position he hasn’t played since 2005 in the minors. The writers add that the Red Sox have inquired, with an eye on using Uggla in left field. Uggla played 20 games in the outfield in Double A in ‘04. Rosenthal and Morosi add that an Uggla trade would compel the Marlins to retain Jorge Cantu.
Poor Uggla. Everybody wants him, but nobody wants him at 2B. Heck…the Sox want him for LEFT!
“So if Young is currently a “downgrade” from Granderson…why would they accept Young and send their division rival an upgrade?”
~ This is when sometimes these blogs can quickly go from interesting and entertaining to redundant arguing. What I mean is this: The above rebuttal can be made to any and every trade idea/proposal suggested on these blogs.
Obviously, if Team A and Team B discuss a trade, and Team A sees their potential receipts as being a downgrade from what they give up, they wouldn’t do the trade. However, if Team A thinks their receipts are an upgrade, then by law of reasoning that would automatically mean that Team B must therefore believe their receipts to be a downgrade from what they are giving up, and they would reject the deal. Make Sense???
So by this logic no trades would EVER be made, unless they were PERFECTLY matched, which is impossible to determine in reality.
Sorry T, but this is a classic case of arguing for the sake of arguing. Sounds smart, but is actually not.
So as Paul pointed out, other factors come into play; contracts, attitudes, chemistry, needs, age, injuries, and most of all, JUDGEMENT AND PERCEPTION.
Sorry T, but this is a classic case of
Speaking of redundant, omit last line, ha, ha.
Or is your point that you only make deals with non-rivals?
heetcpa,
T does have a valid point IMO. I do believe all things being equal (hard to gage in the real world) the Twins would be last on Detroit’s list as a trading partner. This was just an idea. A dream. And a very long shot. I really don’t see Granderson as a likely option. But I do see a need to improve our OF D as others have noted.
I don’t think you make deals with division rivals if both teams plan to compete for the division title the following season. If one team is in rebuilding mode, then it makes it more likely. Also, there are times when the teams who have the greatest need (and thus would pay the steepest price) are in your division. Ruling them out just means you get less value.
PREFERRING not to deal within your division is fine. But ruling it out up front is silly. In the end, you do what you need to do in order to improve your own team.
