Twins-Rangers: Punto to move to 2B next year
Posted on September 17th, 2007 – 4:47 PMBy La Velle
I mentioned recently that Nick Punto had a chance to start at second base next season. Manager Ron Gardenhire today practically named Punto the starting 2B in 2008.
“ We already know what we’ve got with Nick,” Gardy said. “We know we’ve got a player. And (Alexi Casilla) has all the tools in the world. Nothing’s a given. You have to go out and play. But if we were to start right now I would say Nick would have a head up on him, believe me there. I know what he can do, catch the ball and make all the plays. So he’s got a lead going into spring training, as far as I’m concerned.
“I hope he comes out and has a good spring. I like him in my lineup, somewhere. He makes things exciting. But he’s got to play. Got to come back and rebound, we all know that.”
Gardy said the club will make getting a real third baseman during the offseason is a high priority.
Gardy added that Punto was the best player on the field on Sunday and looks more comfortable at the plate right now. Casilla will get his work in get some starts, but Gardy is going to play Punto.
So get ready for more Nicky P. next year. He was 5 for 10 during the Tigers series and is batting .297 this month.
The Twins have to go 10-3 over their final 13 games to finish at 82-80. What are the odds of that happening?
Casilla is not in the lineup, which suggests he’s still in the doghouse for being tardy to Sunday’s game.
Talked to Jason Kubel before the game. He likes batting in the two hole. It gives him the option to pull the ball through the hole between first and second if Jason Bartlett’s on base, and he figures pitchers will come at him more so they don’t face Mauer with men on base.
Lineups
Rangers: 1. Catalanotto, DH. 2. Murphy, CF. 3. Young, SS. 4. Byrd, RF. 5. Botts, LF. 6. Wilkerson, 1B. 7. Quiroz, C. 8. Vazquez, 2B. 9. Metcalf, 3B. Pitching: Volquez.
Twins: 1. Bartlett, SS. 2 . Kubel, DH. 3. Mauer, C. 4. Hunter, CF. 5. Morneau, 1B. 6. Cuddyer, RF. 7. Jones, LF. 8. Buscher, 3B. 9. Punto, 2B. Pitching: Slowey.
188 Responses to "Twins-Rangers: Punto to move to 2B next year"
I realize I will be bombarded for suggesting this…but is Lew Ford going to get an at-bat in September?
There are about six players with lower BAs that have been rotated in through this final stretch….
I realize Lew is all but gone as a Twin…but you’re telling me he can’t get a game or two a week?
Unfortunately LNP went 5-10 in the Detroit series so he gets another start. Casilla slept in..so what? Mauer, Hunter, Morneau, and Cuddyer slept at the plate all weekend. Get Casilla in there again!! So I guess Punto is going to start the entire series because Silva is pitching Tuesday, and Texas is throwing the LH Gabbard on Wednesday. UGH!!
Does anyone know if there are any lower level seats available at the Dome for the 3 game series against Texas? See what happens Mr. Pohlad when you’re unwilling to add to your payroll?
LNP,
Please! If you are a Twins fan, please fake a sprained ankle or something. You don’t really think you are a big league ball player do you?
Jason my guess is if Gardenhire is giving LeCroy at bats, your guy might not see the light of day.I’m not saying I agree or disagree. It just seems like the manager is playing out the string with no real thought process.
The way he has handled Buscher and Casilla is puzzling to say the least.I can understand sitting Casilla for being late yesterday, but punishung him and Buscher for making mistakes on the field at this point in the season is typical Gardy.He’s got a big Dog House for certain guys, others seem to get a free pass.
“Casilla slept in..so what?”
A good employee shows up for work on time. Regardless of if they’re paid 6.50 an hour or hundreds of thousands a year.
Wait…I just reread the lineup. Garret Jones can play the outfield?
Wait…I just reread the lineup. Garret Jones can play the outfield?
Where have you been?
Jones getting at bats is just the Twins grasping at straws.They are probably hoping that he’ll hit a couple out and give a few of us some false sense that he could be the answer.He’s not!
Jones getting at bats is just the Twins grasping at straws.They are probably hoping that he’ll hit a couple out and give a few of us some false sense that he could be the answer.He’s not!
All that matters is that Gardy falsely thinks he can “drive the baseball.”
Or “put a good swing on the ball”.
I realize Lew is all but gone as a Twin…but you’re telling me he can’t get a game or two a week?
Yes. Much as it made no sense to play Luis Rivas in September 205, it makes no sense to play Lew. Let’s see what Mr. Jones can do. But why is Kubel DHing and Jones in left field? Kubel is an infinitely better fielder than Jones.
Hey, he looks good in bp, isn’t that what matters?
LewLew took care of his PT with his baserunning gaffe tther other night.
Punto is hitting .297 for the month, Casilla is still acting like a kid. He’s doomed to start ‘08 at AAA.
Maybe when the Twins get Cano from NYY as part of a Santana trade, Casilla can work on being a future utility IF.
Hey, he looks good in bp, isn’t that what matters?
Just like those infamous bullpen sessions baby!!
LaVelle, since the season is almost over, and I don’t want to forget, I want to Thank You and Joe for doing these blogs all year. It is nice getting up to the minute reports and lineups.
So anyone going to give LEN3 his odds on a 10-3 Twins finish?
I like Kubel in the two-hole as well.
Even more, I like his .366 OBP since the All-Star Break.
Anything is better than Jason Tyner’s .292 OBP when batting second.
Time to start speculating the off season. I’d let Hunter walk and approach Santana with a decent long term offer. If he won’t sign trade him. I’d call the Dodgers and ask for 2nd baseman Abreu, 3rd baseman LaRoche, OF Delwyn Young and P Jonathan Meloam for Santana, Rincon, and throw in Casillas if they want him.
Casilla definitely should be benched for a good 3 or 4 games at least. How can an adult use the old alarm clock excuse, let alone a professional athlete? Anybody who relies soley on a cell phone alarm clock to wake up is a moron anyway. The things never seem to work. Last time I checked hotel rooms have alarm clocks as well. Casilla definitely has a lot of maturing to do if he hopes to go up north with the club in ‘08
Punto is hitting .297 for the month, Casilla is still acting like a kid. He’s doomed to start ‘08 at AAA.
What about the rest of the year? One good month is hard to justify any praise.
Hopefully Punto is a bench player at the most next year.
Just updated the blog to include some news that surely will make this site explode…
LEN3, I think I am going to grab my bat and glove and show the Twins I could hit the same as Punto and field almost as well for about $2 million less per year.
Wow, Casilla REALLY must have ticked Gardy off.
For once I have to agree with Jason (hell hath frozen over). Jones can’t hit and can’t field, if Gardy insists on DH’ing Kubel then Lew could play left.
Also, Gardy’s comments concerning Punto are highly disturbing.
So next season if “2B” LNP is hitting .205 at the end of May will he still play every day like this year? God, lets hope not. Play Casilla now!!
I am sorry, but basically naming Punto your starter for next season after the horrible year he has had does not make me feel good at all.
Gardy’s quotes may be motivational for both Casilla and Punto.
This is simply ridiculous.
Ron Gardenhire has no business being this club’s manager.
It’s freakin’ ridiculous, pathetic, and just dumb to name Nick Punto your starting second baseman for 2008. Hell, it’s ridiculous to name him ANYTHING right now.
Gardy is right about one thing though…we do know what we’re getting from Punto..and that’s absolutely nothing.
Also, if Gardy is going to reward Punto for being the best player in a particular series, why doesn’t he bench Punto for being the worst hitter in all of baseball?
Naming Punto the starting 2B for next year would be like electing George Bush to a second term.
. . . wait a minute.
Good point Erik. It sounds like Gardy is essentially writing Buscher off too. I really like his bat. That sucks.
Good point Erik. It sounds like Gardy is essentially writing Buscher off too. I really like his bat. That sucks.
I agree.
Will Buscher be an AS 3b? No…but he looks like he’s going to be a quality hitter.
That’s a tough error on Mr. Bartlett.
a .200 hitter with a starting spot? You’ve got to be kidding.
a .200 hitter with a starting spot? You’ve got to be kidding.
It’s Minnesota Twins baseball.
UN****ING excuse able that **** is just stupid This isnt’ right at all after the year he’s had he’d be lucky if I didn’t nontender him this winter if It was me 2.4 mil be damned.
Strike 3 right down the middle. Man all this talk about Punto but if Joe does that it doesnt matter if Punto bats .100 next year
Dave that does not make much sense.
Not sure how Mauer sriking out all year (which I highly doubt) would mean it would not matter if Punto bats .100.
I will no longer watch the twins if Punto is in the lineup. He has to have pictures of Gardy and some farm animal.
Okay, Punto has hit a hot 2 week window. And of course Gardy is going to play him. If LNP had been hitting his typical .200, he would still be in the line up, right? And now Gardy has him locked in for second base next year. I knew that Gardy would find a way to put LNP in the line up next year on an every day basis - I just didn’t expect it to be confirmed this early. Looks like Gardy is throwing down the gauntlet on Punto and is going to fight for “his man”.
Actualy it does.. If your #3 hitter (Joe M.) continues to not produce runs and watch stike three go down the middle, like in the first inning, it doesnt matter if you have the worst all time hitter batting #9 (nick Punto)
who runs this team? the vikings?
Nora..
have you seen Joe at al the last two games?????? Last night bases loaded, watched stike three down the middle. Same thing tonight. he couls at least try and foul the thing off
Nora..
have you seen Joe at al the last two games?????? Last night bases loaded, watched stike three down the middle. Same thing tonight. he couls at least try and foul the thing off
The Twins should probably trade him, or release him, before his value goes any lower.
I guess they should trade the whole middle of the lineup if we are basing it all on the last few days.
Trade Joe Mauer…
Thats a novel idea. The other name I use on these blogs is “Trade Mauer Guy”
Mauer has not looked like himself since coming back from his latest injury. Could be still feeling some effects since all the Twins speak hints that he rushed himself back “for the team” after Redman left the game injured, and then Morales was also felled by injury. Or could be Joe is feeling crushed by fan criticism.
Uh oh better trade Justin now
Well, at least he is moving somewhere where his defense might actually have some impact on the game regularly. He is better suited to play 2B. As long as Gardy doesn’t pencil him into the #2 spot I don’t have a problem with that.
Punto was the best player on the field Sunday, did he scrimmage after the Twins game in a little league exhibition or something?
Tonight’s theme:
Watching fastballs over the plate go by for called third strikes.
Matt Lecroy really has proven himself at the plate this year, he has to go into 2008 favored as the starting DH
Did anyone see Doug Mientkiewicz dive to first base to tag it and beat the runner to the bag?
That’s another vote for diving to first is faster than running through it.
Go LNP. Go, fight, win!
LOL Torii flattens the 3rd basemen.
And we all continue to hold our breath, waiting for that Garrett Jones HR.
Douggie baseball was a LNP before LNP
Nora
You just dont want to understand do you. If Joe hits 29 HR and has over 100 RBI I wouldnt complane about a called third stike now and again. The deal is Joe never produces. and it doesnt matter if the #9 hitter sucks if your #3 hitter doesnt drive in runs
Punto would have made that foul ball catch more spectacular.
I don’t understand your thinking , no. So it is ok to have bad hitters in the lineup? I don’t think so. There also hitters in the lineup that come up before Mauer does/
The 2007 season is not even over yet and we are already giving up on the 2008 season? Ridiculous. You cant tell me that we cant find another second baseman somewhere instead of Punto.
Erik.
Thats a great theme for the night.
Can I change the subject a bit to something else?
What could Alexi do to get on Gardys good side and get some playing time?
1. Clean Gardy’s gutters. Never a fun job.
2. Buy Guardy that new clear bolwing ball with the skull in it that Gardy always wanted.
its all Mauer’s fault….. dammit mauer!
why couldn’t you have played better defense saturday? we couldn’t you throw better sunday? why can’t you swing at a pitch? why did you trade KG? Dammit mauer!
Casilla can go to the MGM on Rice St and pick up Gardy’s Busch light
It is all Mauers fault. THe Vikings would be so much better if he was playing football. You know the vikings would have traded up to get him.
The Vikings wont make the playoffs becuse Mauer didnt play pro football.
Dammit Mauer!!! LOL
As I drove home after my other post, I am curious if Gardy has 2.4 million reasons to have Punto the starting 2B. Maybe the Pohlads have to justify waaaay overpaying for him. Perhaps they don’t like the idea of a bench guy making that kinda money next season.
Just a thought.
Hey, look!!!
The Twins are getting no hit!
from one Shawn to another Shaun, that has to be the reason. Gardy can’t be that stupid? can he? he does drink Busch light though, so anything is possible
Cant type right now cant miss the Punto at bat
oh great! Dickbert are talking up Punto too, maybe i’ll become a Mets fan
Is Luis Rivas still avaiable to play 2b?
Get used to seeing that a lot now. Great AB there 2008 2B starter.
Will all this talk about Punto I am getting a bit worried that the new GM is going to sign Punto to a 5-yr extension. Maybe if they do that he could start at 2B when the new stadium opens.
I wonder if Bill Smith is a Tony Batista guy?
What’s next-Jason Tyner named the starting DH due to his power?
Giving the green light to Punto at 2B next year after the offensive season LNP has had this year - what kind of message does that give any of the players in AAA? How the heck do they get called up and have half a chance to get played in a game? It should be explained in a new players’ guides and given to the minor leaguers when they sign up - shiny apples to all the coaches and staff everywhere in the Twins organization and never, never over sleep - at least not off the field.
Sandy, I was just thinking-what was the rationale behing trading Castillo?
1. He would leave the Twins anyway.
2. Get Casilla up here to get playing time since he was the heir to Castillo.
So now that reason #2 has been totally undone, I wonder if any of the vets will be a bit more unhappy with the trade?
Has anyone else seen that website on what to do with Barry Bonds 756 Home run ball? I guess you can vote on what the owener shoudl do with the ball.
“Manager Ron Gardenhire today practically named Punto the starting 2B in 2008″
And thus the tone for the next 13 games (and probably the first few months of the 08 season) worth of blogs have been set.
See you all after next year’s trade deadline.
Haha nice T.
Are you saying you won’t be at the Dome for Punto bobblehead day?
I think the Domes address has been changed to:
#8 Punto Way
or #.200 Punto Way
.198 lives here
Greeeeeeat. Does Gardy give his kids money for failing classes, too? Gotta accept failure, and possibly reward it.
Shaun, you are absolutely right. The Castillo trade has never made me happy. The guy got hits, maybe not a lot of power, but he got on base and being on base is something the Twins just can’t seem to do. (Oh the LNP just put down a “beautiful bunt” according to the dickiebert talking heads, yes they know that to keep talking to Gardy they have to kiss that butt). As for the Twins veteran players - the whole Punto thing should make them want to heave. Trading Castillo, and then spotty playing of Casilla while continuing to put Punto in the line up every single game was a big step backward for the team - and Gardy just nailed the team to that step back spot when he totally unnecessarily put his seal on Punton at 2B for 2008.
Exactly-I wonder if any other Twins players will think “boy, if I play mediocre like Punto I can get a starting spot too.”
I bet Rondell White would be happy to have a starting spot with the Twins next year if he doesn’t retire and they give him a “Punto deal.”
Sidney Ponson may also have some hope with the Twins again!
That’s a great move by Gardy, showing everyone that he doesn’t care what the moronic fans of this team think about Nicky Punto, and trusting his own managerial instincts. I would take Punto over Casilla any day of the week, why people undervalue his defense I will never understand….but then again I don’t understand a lot of the viewpoints that are commonly thrown out there on these blogs. I just gotta say, thank goodness the fans of this team aren’t running the show down on 34 Kirby Puckett Place.
Note to Bill Smith:
If you have Nick Punto as a starter in your lineup, you will not win next year. I hope you know this and Gardy’s talk is just to boost his ego.
um, ok Steve
Steve, so having a starter hitting just over .200 on an offensively weak team is ok? And just wait until Hunter’s production is gone.
I am very skeptical that Punto’s defense would win more games by saving runs versus a player who could actually hit and knock in runs or score them more often.
damnit mauer! we can’t complain about you for a few minutes
Seriously…
Trade Mauer now! His value will never be higher.
As usual, Rincon can’t get it done.
Good thing Gardy has ditched the “play to win” theme.
Rincon is horrible
awe Rincon, you have fallen far
“Are you saying you won’t be at the Dome for Punto bobblehead day?”
I’m not giving up on the Twins. I’m just debating the value of sticking around here.
And honestly, there isn’t a guy in the bullpen you can count on right now. Even Nathan and Neshek have had trouble’s lately.
I agree Erik, ‘playing to win’ in a 1 run game in the 7th does not include Rincon. It usually turns into play to lose.
Yes, Rincon, another one of Gardy’s boy pals. How long will he leave Rincon in the game? How many runs will he let Rincon give up?
Gardy wants to lose the next 3 games then have a 10 game winning streak to end up at 82-80. So Rincon HAD to throw away the game.
The difference is Rincon has not been good all year.
At least he ran over to cover 1st there.
I can’t wait to see Gardy PH our hidden gem, Rondeezy White, for Jones in the 7th.
Nora…careful. You’re getting into familiar territory again.
I submit, with Neshek showing signs of wear…who do the Twins go to. And don’t say “anybody but Rincon” because that means Cali, DePaula…
Maybe Blackburn, but I’m guessing they’re keeping him out today in case Silva shows signs of not being fully recovered from his groin injury. Unless that’s going to be Boof’s job.
But honestly, people are complaining that Neshek’s getting overworked, and others complain that he’s not used enough. And then there are some who argue both.
Which is it?
Leeeeeeewwwwwwwww?
Double play with Lew Ford involved?
No way.
Lew must have been wondering if there is a Star Wars convention he’s missing this weekend.
Wow quiet now.
Nathan has been giving up homers lately. Not good.
I repeat…
Who can you rely on anymore?
Not anyone at this point it seems the starters need to go deeper in games. Hard to do though when you have such young starting pitchers.
They all have tired arms and have been overworked.
“Nathan has been giving up homers lately. Not good.”
He’s given up 2 in September. It’s his 4th given up this year.
“Not anyone at this point it seems the starters need to go deeper in games.”
Can’t go much deeper than they have been. 6-7 innings from most of them best I can recall.
Bullpen has to OCCASIONALLY hold a lead.
Nice job Cuddy.
T, alot of the younger pitchers have trouble getting into the 6th as best I can see.
Or maybe I am thinking of Bonser, LOL
Time for Buscher to walk us off here.
Nice job Punto!
Good thing you’ve earned the starting 2b position for 2008 already!
way to go LNP there LNP!
Well ladies and gentlemen, there is your starting 2nd baseman next year. Man, that is a scary thought.
what an idiot
Oh my…
I am speechless.
Awesome! Should they go mob the Rangers player who drpped the ball? LOL
Ha, well there is a gift-wrapped victory for the Twins and Nathan tonight. I guess at this point though, we’ll take them however we can get them.
“Good thing you’ve earned the starting 2b position for 2008 already!”
“Well ladies and gentlemen, there is your starting 2nd baseman next year. Man, that is a scary thought.”
Hey guys, welcome back to 2 hours ago when those comments were still original/clever.
Now, to actually celebrate a win. And what a bizarre (yet appropriate) way to finish the game. Both teams tried to give it away, Texas succeeded.
Casilla would’ve had that.
Hmm…guess my post to start this thread ended up having a shred of significance after all.
On LNP as our ‘08 2nd baseman…I have three words the Twins will be hearing a lot of:
Season ticket cancellation
Kinsler would’ve had that. Dunno what he was thinking. But talk about a mindfart.
“I have three words the Twins will be hearing a lot of: Season ticket cancellation”
Can I add a few more?
“Wah wah wah”
you tell em “T” its mean to pick on your buddy LNP
Shawn, I know exactly what you mean. T, get used to it, it seems as though you are in the very minority on here that don’t hate LNP. So either deal with it, or don’t read the blog anymore.
What a gift! How does Gardy let Punto hit in that situation? Anyone else please! Go with Tyner who at least is hitting .291. Nathan was throwing so hard, so why does he get beat with his second best pitch on 3 & 2, throwing either a cutter or slider to Metcalf? Great to see Cuddy and Mauer go yard. I really hope Casilla plays great next March and wins the 2B job. Then again, Gardy will still find a way to make Punto the starter. At least it was good to hear tonight the Twins are serious about addressing the hole at 3B.
T, I am thinking you may have meant waa waa waa instead of wah wah wah. Wha wha wha would be like someone with a JFK-like accent saying war war war. On the other hand waa waa waa would be like a baby or Austin crying.
Kate, I thought you had fallen asleep under your rock for your winter hibernation a little bit early. I guess one can always dream.
“you tell em “T” its mean to pick on your buddy LNP”
“it seems as though you are in the very minority on here that don’t hate LNP”
Please don’t mistake my ability to talk about something other than Punto as a sign that I feel he would be an adequate starter.
Posters such as yourself fail to realie that your hourly affirmations regarding Punto etc. can be just as annoying as the “company lines” that you constantly tear into Gardy and co. for repeating.
“T, I am thinking you may have meant waa waa waa instead of wah wah wah”
I was thinking of it more in the sense of the adults in Charlie Brown. You hear something being said…but it’s indistinguishable from the other noise and really serves no important puprpose to the discussion.
Sorry we can’t all add as much to the discussion as you T. I guess we can’t all be that great.
“Sorry we can’t all add as much to the discussion as you T.”
That’s just it. There really is no discussion. Most trade/FA talks get immediately dismissed by “CP’s too cheap!”
There are rarely any comments made when something goes right, case in point the absence of comments after Morneau’s 30th homer the other night.
To make a long story short, make a comment worth discussing. That way things don’t end up in the same loop everynight.
Looking back on the game thread, would you think the Twins won this one? I see two comments regarding the actual finish, no comments about Cuddy’s homer. Then what happens? Puntochat starts up again.
Yeah, it’s easier to write a post that’s “Rawr Punto struck out!” as opposed to “Alright Cuddy!” But some of you should really try it. You might find yourself still getting some form of entertainment from the games.
Well, look, I’ll say this…there was some legitimacy to the whining about too much Punto conversation before (although that didn’t stop me), mainly because it was old and the assumption was he would be relegated to utility duties in ‘08.
But with La Velle’s news today, it’s once again open season on LNP. I absolutely cannot believe they are even considering this approach. The decision to stick with him throughout ‘07 was one of many major reasons we failed. To bring him back as an everyday player in ‘08 would be as irresponsible as handing a child a loaded pistol. And I don’t care about the contract situation–pay him $2 million to be the utility player, that’s fine with me.
But if it’s the Twins ‘plan’ to make LNP their everyday second baseman, based on one weekend where he goes 5-for-10, then TR better not be the only one turning in his resignation.
Now I understand, T. Thanks for the clarification. I would have never thought of that.
Austin, I bet I know what happens when you are dreaming about me.
You want topics to discuss? Here’s a few:
1) Aside from Punto and Casilla, can Tolbert or another AAA potentially come up and play 2B?
2) If Watkins comes back healthy, and provided there isn’t a Free Agent aquisition, is Buscher still the leading 3B candidate?
3) If you think the lineup has a few issues, let’s look at the bench. Punto, Rodriquez, Ford, Buscher, Tyner, Casilla, Jones. Those are all players that are splitting time at various positions. Who would best fit in the bench and who could let go without costing too much. (I know, I know, I mentioned Punto and “let go” in the same paragraph, try to keep it civil)
4) Bullpen. Rincon, Cali, and DePaula are currently placeholders. Neshek and Nathan have shown signs of wear of late. Reyes, Crain, and Perkins will be coming off of injuries. Who in the minors could be brought up?
5) The rotation. Can Liriano be counted on to hold a spot in the rotation? Silva’s a free agent this offseason. With Bonser having issues, and Slowey still having trouble with the longball…does Blackburn get a long look in Spring Training?
6) Kubel. He’s going to be a starter with the club if there isn’t a major FA signing. Is he a LFer, or should he be given the DH role and let loose to finally make or break?
7) Which hole is the biggest need to be closed? 3B, LF, or DH? What options are there if Hunter is signed? What options are there if they let Hunter go?
“But with La Velle’s news today, it’s once again open season on LNP.”
What’s funny is that I don’t see one place where Gardy says: “Punto will be the starter in 2008.”
I see this:
“But if we were to start right now I would say Nick would have a head up on him, believe me there.”
That’s Gardy saying what we already know. If the Twins had to build the 08 lineup right now…is it Punto or Casilla? Are Casilla’s mental blunders worth hoping his bat stays consistent? Considering his fielding and running have been suffering from bizarre decisions.
Then I see this:
“So he’s got a lead going into spring training, as far as I’m concerned.”
He’s got a lead going into Spring Training. How does that make him a starter? Players have come into the year with “leads” and then ended up on the bench (or in the case of Bartlett back in the minors) going into the actual season.
Then I see this quote:
“But he’s got to play. Got to come back and rebound, we all know that.”
And that’s why it’s “going into Spring” that he has the lead. Because he’s had a career low after a career high. He’ll have Spring to prove that he can find that happy median or else it’ll probably be Casilla (provided another AAA prospect doesn’t show some hope)
I think everybody read LaVelle’s first paragraph and didn’t bother to read the actual quotes.
But the implication is there T…
What from this franchise’s recent history tells you they will go out and find a suitable 2B or 3B or both in free agency?
Exactly…
Thus, we’re left with Punto or Casilla and Gardy is tipping his hand that he believes Punto is the guy…
So again: are you freakin kidding me???
I love the Twins and I like Gardy a lot, but this is bad baseball management IMHO.
I like him in my lineup, somewhere. He makes things exciting.
He’s the most exciting out machine in all of baseball.
“Hello, Billy, yeah this is Terry. Say, now that I’m your senior adviser, can I make a recommendation?”
“Shoot Terry.”
“You have to trade Punto for the equivalent of Denny Hocking at single A.”
“Why’s that Terry?”
“Because that jackass will start him even after the worst full season of hitting the game has ever known. I swear, Punto must have caught Gardy using an illegal bowling ball or something. Because Gardy inks his name in the line-up when everyone else is written in pencil.”
“I’ll see what I can do. It’s not going to be easy trading a guy who has one good season in the big leagues and is way overrated defensively. But, you’re right, addition by subtraction.”
“What from this franchise’s recent history tells you they will go out and find a suitable 2B or 3B or both in free agency?”
The fact that they’ve realized that past few seasons problems were caused by trying to depend too much on “lightning in a bottle” signings.
And that Gardy has said their priority in the offseason will be finding a real 3Bman. If we’re going to use Gardy’s quotes to imply that Punto’s the starting 2B, then the same is true for using it to imply that there will be an aquisition (via some means) to bring in a 3B.
LOL cmathewson! You cracked me up.
Maybe the reason we always talk about Punto is that it is difficult to imagine why Punto is always viewed in a different light compared to other players. Like AG mentioned (this is a synopsis–I apologize), when Punto was hitting .290, he was a decent defensive player; when he was hitting .250 he was great; when he was hitting .220, he was fantastic defensively, and now that he is hovering around .200, there is no greater defensive player to have ever put on a baseball jersey. It is comical actually.
PS-Why does anyone even have to mention that Punto was the best player on the field during a particular game? I haven’t heard any other player get such special recognition this year. Is it to heal a seared conscience? I guess that must have been some illegal bowling ball.
PS II-I’m not a bit surprised about the pronouncement that Punto has basically been handed the job. I get the strange suspicion that this all tied to the ridiculous dumping of Castillo…but that’s just me.
PS III-I think it is quite disheartening to hear that Punto is the man (even though this simply confirmed my suspicions) before we even start real discussions about next spring. The fact that a position needs to be announced says a mouthfull about Gardy’s mentality. It seems that on most teams there would be an open competition for a spot on the team when one of the competitor’s is the WORST HITTER IN BASEBALL, but apparently these kinds of issues are irrelevant when pride and prejudice rule the roost.
He’s not annoucing Punto is the starter. He’s said Punto has the lead going into Spring.
And considering the candidates are Punto and Casilla (we haven’t heard a WORD about Tolbert since TR addressed the media following the Castillo trade)
“I get the strange suspicion that this all tied to the ridiculous dumping of Castillo”
Do you shonestly think Castillo would’ve helped turn this lineup around? Do you think the Twins would’ve gotten anything for him when he left at the end of the season?
Here’s the golden question…do you think Castillo’s knees would’ve held out much longer on the turf?
I said that was just me. Others can have their own theories. I still believe to this day that the Castillo move was a lazily done salary dump, and there was little effort to work out a better deal with the Mets.
Gardy, what have you been watching this year? There’s no way Punto should be the starting anything going into next year. Yes, nice defense. But, the hitting is awful. Punchless hitters have to at least be able to lay down a bunt, and LNP lost that skill somehow this year. Casilla’s a rookie. He’ll get beyond his mental gaffes. He’s exciting, and he needs to play. Punto at the plate is not exciting. Give Casilla a chance before you bury him deep in the doghouse. LNP is not the answer to any of the team’s lineup issues. If it’s a ploy to challenge Casilla, then fine. But, otherwise there has to be a better option than LNP.
Ug. I was forcing some nice optomisim going into next year. But now I can’t shake the feeling that 2008 is dead on arrival.
Looking at the leading article in the Twins section, it’s nice to see that they decided to take comments from Gardy regarding Punto leading into SPRING TRAINING and extrapolated that into “He’s starting in 08!”
Oh hey look! There’s mention that they won last night, too. I heard something about that amongst all the Punto talk.
I should also add that Gardy himself adds the caveat that they have to find a 3rd baseman first.
I thought there were discussions earlier this season that even a slight improvement from Punto next season would be fine enough for him at 2nd.
Hey T, just wanted to point this out.
Over 5 months Punto hit sub .200 and was miserable aside from some occasional great defense, Gardy still played him almost every single day. There is absolutely no chance, barring injury, that Casilla will win a job over Punto no matter what happens in the spring. I guarantee it.
[…] Also, it appears that Nick Punto has the starting 2B job going into next spring. It’s rather obvious that Gardenhire likes Punto a lot, because after his career year last year and fall back down to earth this year, he’s still getting a lot of playing time, mostly for his defense. I like him as a utility guy because he can play everywhere and we’ve all seen his awesome defensive plays, but not being able to lay down a bunt when you’re the smallest, scrappiest guy on the team doesn’t make sense, does it? […]
LaVelle,
I just read the news about Punto moving to 2B. I hope you mean as in 2B, an apartment out of state.
Are the coaches/managers in this town actually watching the games? First Childress’ fascination with a QB that’s clearly not ready to play in the NFL, now this?
Punto has been the worst 3rd baseman in the game for the entire season. He has a good three weeks and now we’re moving him to second and giving him the lead for the starting position?
Question/comment for Gardy: What’s exciting about watching Punto struggle to lay down a bunt? You pride yourself on “protecting” your players. Well, why don’t you start “protecting” your players from their own embarrassment and futility?
Even if Punto starts in April, it doesn’t mean much in the end. Lineups get changed over the course of a season. Maybe a month back in AAA will make it all click for Casilla and then he can reclaim the job.
Gardy’s comments on Punto are why we are where we are. Punto has great hustle and great defense. Good enough for a mediocre team, if that’s what you want.
” “We already know what we’ve got with Nick,’’ Gardy said. “We know we’ve got a player.”
And that summarizes why this season went down the drain. It’s not all LNP’s fault - it’s management’s, for misjudgments on talent from LNP to RonDL to Ponson to Ortiz. Just one preventable mistake after another.
I can’t help but think of the definition of insanity when thinking about this team’s management - repeatedly performing the same task while expecting a different result.
Perhaps they could change next season’s marketing slogan from “This is Twins Territory” to “Shut Up And Deal.”
But, what the heck. They did win last night. Which is nice.
Who is the 2nd worst hitter in MLB? Maybe he’s availible for next year.
“Over 5 months Punto hit sub .200 and was miserable aside from some occasional great defense, Gardy still played him almost every single day. ”
You have to remember that for at least three of those five months, there was literally NO ONE with the team that could take over everyday at 3rd.
And that was not Gardy’s fault. It’s only recently (now that Casilla and Buscher have been healthy and available) that you can question sticking with Punto (as well as the inclusion of Rodriquez).
If you recall August, there was a stretch of a few weeks where Cirillo was DFAed, Buscher and Watkins went down, and Bartlett had a hammy scare in Seattle. That left Punto as one of the only available guys.
But to blame Gardy for Punto being in the lineup through July is ignoring the fact that when it comes to bringing players up from AAA, the GM makes the final call.
Sure, Gardy can suggest that a new 3B is needed. But ultimately that’s as much as he can do.
So if you’re going to use the “Punto was in the lineup for 5 months” arugment, at least get your facts straight and remember the situations surrounding the team.
“Even if Punto starts in April, it doesn’t mean much in the end.”
Honestly, it’s going to take a disasterous spring for Casilla and Punto hitting at least .250 (good enough to bat 9th and start sacing guys around the bases) for him to keep his “lead” as the starting guy.
If anything, this sounds like Gardy playing mind games, which I don’t always approve of. Mostly because they end up not working on the players and instead get into the heads of fans.
“You have to remember that for at least three of those five months, there was literally NO ONE with the team that could take over everyday at 3rd.”
Agreed. But there were a couple of guys who could have filled in more often. I’m not crazy about Casilla either, but Gardy does seem to be looking for an excuse to play Punto.
Will someone please tell Gardenhire to stop torturing us with Rincon.
Luis Rodriguez was available all year, plus other guys off and on. You may not like Lrod, but I find it hard to believe he wasn’t even worth giving a shot. If Punto hits a scrappy .150 in the spring and Casilla hits .500 and plays heads up defense, Punto will still be the “starter.” LNP will be a starter on this team as long as Gardenhire is manager, period.
If you bring in D. Wright, Jose Reyes, and R. Cano, Gardy would move Punto to CF and start him there.
Gardy has a double standard. Casilla plays poorly for a month, so he is benched more ofter then not. Punto plays poorly most of the year and is rarely benched.
It’s pretty silly to get this worked up over what Gardenhire says on September 17th ,2007. Check his track record. Wasn’t this the same guy who said at the end of June that Kubel was going to be the every day leftfielder? That lasted about a week. Didn’t he say just recently that Bonser was going to stay in the rotation? That lasted one more start.Garenhire does this kind of stuff all the time.
I think it’s really funny when people say Gardy is a players manager.There are three kinds of players in Gardys world.The players above reproach like Mauer,Hunter,or any established guy.Players like Punto and L-Rod,who remind Gardy of himself and therefore get a free pass.And guys like Casilla,Kubel,Garza,and in the past Cuddy,who have to earn the Managers respect with frequent visits to the dog house.
Knowing Gardy and how he runs spring training, Casilla will have to hit .750 with dazzling defensive plays, no errors, and no base running gaffes..and in the end, he probably still won’t win the job at 2B. As for last night’s game in the bottom of the 9th, how does he let Punto hit in that situation? I don’t care if your one game out or 20 games out. There’s no way Tom Kelly would send Tim Laudner to the plate hitting .200 with the winning run on second base and one out in the bottom of the 9th. (I realize TK had better options on the bench, but this Gardy thing with LNP is an absolute joke)! Also, could we just release Juan Rincon now! His throwing error and hanging 3-2 slider for the game tying hit are just unacceptable. This guy has clearly lost it.
It was nice to see Slowey’s start last night, plus no home runs allowed. And finally to see Mauer and Cuddy come up with clutch hits that actually left the park. Although I didn’t agree with every pitch, there should be more umpires like John Hirschbeck. A larger strike zone that allowed pitchers to work the corners, plus up and down in the zone. I don’t understand why all the umps don’t follow this type of style and directive.
The average AL game time this year is
2:54. If you were an umpire and could cut the game time down by an average of 15 minutes a night, just think about how many fewer hours you would spend on the field during the course of a season.
Punto should be a utility man. Under no circumstances should he be a regular third baseman. In a time of tight budgets and limited options, I can see Punto starting at second. I don’t like it, but if the option is the ‘07 Casilla, I’ll take Punto. Punto figures to hit somewhere between this year .210 or less and last year’s .290. He plays good defense and generally doesn’t make too many mental errors. I can live with him being the weakest offensive player on a team.
I thought Gardy said Punto would be used AS the second base in 2008. Now i see he is planning on playing him there. The season is doomed…
Looking back at Gardy’s quotes on the 2B job, he says right off the bat, “Casilla has all the tools, but you have to go out and play”. THEN PLAY HIM FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!
Looking back at Gardy’s quotes on the 2B job, he says right off the bat, “Casilla has all the tools, but you have to go out and play”. THEN PLAY HIM FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!
That’d make too much sense.
I don’t understand, and I know T would disagree, how a player can work on things and get better at certain parts of his game unless he’s out there, physically doing it.
Sitting at the end of the bench in the dugout, listening to a guy like Mike Redmond tell him stories when he’s walked around naked in the clubhouse isn’t going to shorten Casilla’s swing, teach him how to run the bases, or work on his footwork at second base.
Play the kid.
“Agreed. But there were a couple of guys who could have filled in more often.”
I honestly don’t think Rodriquez would’ve been much better. He’s not a speedy guy like people think, and in the time both he and Cirillo were on the team it was Cirillo who actually got more at-bats. And it was Cirillo who hit better.
But regardless of it was Rodriquez (who wouldn’t have been much better) or Cirillo (who wouldn’t have been able to make more than a few starts a week), it wasn’t the 3B situation that was the cause of this team’s demise. The Twins were unable to win games against their division. It was true before Castillo left, and it remained true after the fact. Look at the heart of the lineup (Mauer, Hunter, Morneau, Cuddyer) in the Detroit series for a prime example of why this team struggled.
The overall failure of 3B was one reason. But it was far from the only reason.
“If you bring in D. Wright, Jose Reyes, and R. Cano, Gardy would move Punto to CF and start him there.”
If the Twins bring in Wright, Reyes, and Cano…only in on this board would you still see complaints about Punto.
nick punto and brooks bollinger may be the same person,,,,, doesn’t really matter how bad they play they will continue to get opportunities…yuk
I can live with him being the weakest offensive player on a team.
Can you live with him getting 600 PAs and hitting .215?
Punto isn’t going to hit .290 again but he isn’t going to hit .215 again either. Contract year next year. If we can get a bat to play 3rd I can live with all field no hit at 2B be it Punto or Casilla. Run’em out there in the spring and see who gets the job and who ends up in the utility roll.
“I honestly don’t think Rodriquez would’ve been much better”
Nor do I. But Punto isn’t that much better than Casilla to justify not giving the kid more opportunities. Punto made his share of baserunning mistakes and he can’t get a sac bunt down despite carrying a .205 average, yet he hasn’t been subjected to extended benching.
I agree that Punto isn’t the reason the Twins are out of the race. This just seems like another case where Gardy is looking for an excuse to play a veteran over a rookie.
Don’t forget his 81 K’s - 3 less than Morneau with 110 less at bats. That’s almost worse than the .205 average.
“I don’t understand, and I know T would disagree, how a player can work on things and get better at certain parts of his game unless he’s out there, physically doing it.”
I don’t disagree with that at all. I’ve mentioned numerous times that I’m utterly confused as to why (now that the entire infield is healthy for once) that Buscher and Casilla don’t get long longs while the season is meaningless.
I can understand them getting a day off now and then. But Casilla seems to have been banished, and Buscher disappeared for a few days even after hitting a few homers in a couple of games.
I am still perplexed and sickened with the Punto announcement by Gardy.
I guess the Smith era has begun.
Bzzzzzzzz!! You all better step back a few feet while the Twins hitters stand there with the bats on their shoulders, stunned by the electrifying pitches of Volquez! They should really remove the ‘n’ from my first name because I was like Thomas Edison with my inventive ways to strike out hitters. Pardon me, I’m going to go electricute the bullpen pitchers who short circuited my game. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-HAhahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa!
LNP the starting second baseman next season? I guess I’m canceling my MLB Extra Innings package. There is no way I’m watching another 162 games of LNP trying to hit long balls.
LOL romer on the Smith era! Hopefully Smith will offer LEN3 some contradictory quotes, something like he expects his regulars to NOT flirt with .200!
We all know Punto will start at 3B tonight with Silva on the mound, so lets hope Casilla gets out of the doghouse and returns to 2B. I hope then Buscher or Jones gets to D-H tonight. Jones is really struggling and swinging at “pitchers” pitches way too often. I still would like to see him, Buscher and Casilla get as many at bats as possible in the final two weeks. Unfortunately, our manager doesn’t see it the way.
If the Twins are serious in stating that Punto is a legit MLB player, and that young players can’t make a few mistakes, how is their strategy of drafting and developing going to work? if young players can’t make mistakes, when will young players ever play - they will make mistakes, it is part of the growing process.
So, if the strategy is to play young players and not sign FAs or trade for vets, how does this work exactly?
I have no interest in paying money for this product next year. No Hunter, no Silva, Punto in the every day lineup.
Valid points Mikewants wins. and I wonder if this didn’t have something to do with Ryans decision to leave.I have felt for several years that there seems to be a bit of a philosophical difference between Gardy and Ryan.
TR was always the guardian of the future(to a fault)and the manager seems to be more caught up in what was done yesterday and how can it help win today.Both can be valid points in running a baseball operation,but in reality,and especially with the Twins there seems to be a balance needed.
Gardenhire sems to be more about How all this effects Ron Gardenhire,IMO,I think he enjoys the publicity of winning alot more than Ryan ever did.
Mike wants, Hunter is this year’s MVP. Can’t just let him go.
If he acts unlike Kirby and Herby and gets stingy, that’s one thing.
But he deserves a near-market rate. I hope he “takes a hit” and the Twins sign him for 5 years. That’ll send the right tone to begin the Smith era.
Then dump Silva to recoup the salary loss, and expect Slowey/Liriano/Blackburn/Perkins to fill that hole and the other hole created by dumping Rincon and replacing him with Boof.
Gardenhire is a joke….
I hope Smith saves us, and doesn’t let that happen. I can’t go another season watching, let alone watching him everyday.
movies page
greetings from me
non stop site
maybe more
that diet is ok
something nursing more
see ya
Nice site man! This will be my first time visiting. Keep up the great work. Thanks much!
