Twins-White Sox: Final home game
Posted on September 23rd, 2007 – 10:55 AMBy La Velle
Torii Hunter arrived at the park around 10 a.m. and said he had a bad night of sleep. “I woke up at 5 and I’ve been packing ever since,” he said. These could be Hunter’s last at-bats at the Dome as a Twin, as he prepares for an offseason which several teams are expected to pursue him.
Today also is weekly weigh-in day. Several players couldn’t believe that the Twins’ strength and conditioning coordinator, Perry Castellano, is sticking to schedule. “This is my first-ever Sept. 23 weigh-in,” Mike Redmond joked. Perry is threatening to bring his scale to Boston for a weigh-in on the final day of the season. The players can’t believe it….
Lineups
White Sox: 1. Owens, CF. 2. Fields, 3B. 3. Erstad, 1B. 4. Konerko, DH. 5. Dye, RF. 6. Podsednik, LF. 7. Uribe, SS. 8. Richar, 2B. 9. Lucy, C. Pitching: Floyd.
Twins: 1. Bartlett, SS. 2. Kubel, LF. 3. Mauer, C. 4. Hunter, CF. 5. Morneau, DH. 6. Cuddy, RF. 7. Jones, 1B. 8. Buscher, 3B. 9. Casilla, 2B. Pitching: Slowey.
86 Responses to "Twins-White Sox: Final home game"
I assume Casilla is playing 2b today.
Shocking that Punto isn’t starting today after his 0-4, 3 K performance.
Also, if Mauer is going to possibly have hernia surgery, why would the Twins mess with anything and continue playing him?
Shut him down like they did with Neshek and forget these meaningless ballgames.
Punto is being saved to pinch hit today in the 9th with the game on the line. Finally a lineup that has all the youngsters in it. I hope Slowey can keep Thome and the rest of the Sox in the park today.
Sounds like Torii is gone for sure.
I found it funny in Friday’s article about his number 1 fan in CF. The guy drives part way to the game and then bikes to the Dome to save his parking money, but 15 million dollars a season isn’t enough for Hunter and the rest of these spoiled ball players. When push comes to shove, I really wonder if the Twins will eventually offer him 4 or 5 years?
oops..Thome isn’t in the lineup. After homering in 6 straight against us..that’s a relief.
Adrian Petersen is so damn fast
Shocking that Punto isn’t starting today after his 0-4, 3 K performance.
You’re kidding. Please tell me you’re kidding. A lineup that has all the players people want and there’s still people ripping on Punto?
Oh good lord. Can’t some of you EVER be happy?
I fixed Casilla’s position to 2B.
Also, Gardy made a late switch, moving Morneau to DH and Jones to 1B.
Oh good lord. Can’t some of you EVER be happy?
Can’t go one day without complaining about another commenter?
someone rips Punto or T defends him, which is more surprising?
Can’t go one day without complaining about another commenter?
I’m sorry, is their right to whine any less so than mine?
someone rips Punto or T defends him, which is more surprising?
Did I defend Punto? I believe my comment was their complaining about the lineup when it’s exactly what they want (well, maybe without Mauer 2nd or perhaps a different guy batting 8th)
But I suppose I can include my opinion that Punto shouldn’t be more than a backup player in every post I make, so you don’t forget that’s what I think.
Because I’ve come to learn that’s how this place works. I could make a comment a few times about a certain player…but if I don’t do it every time I say something, people will quickly forget I’ve said it.
…So to make you happy.
Punto shouldn’t be a starter.
Let’s do something fun..
Which number will be bigger today, points scored by the Vikings offense or total runs, hits and errors by the Twins?
I know Peterson has scored, but what if the Twins score 6 runs on 14 hits?
i like the Vikings D to score more than the Twins score………
Which number will be bigger today, points scored by the Vikings offense or total runs, hits and errors by the Twins?
I’m going to say the Twins combined Runs/Hits/Errors. But not because I don’t think the Vikings are going to do that well, just that the Twins can get 4 runs on 10 hits and already have the equivalent of two touchdowns.
And I’m guessing they’ll maybe get an edge because of one error so it’ll end up 15-14.
I guess I should’ve asked for specifics…
Are field goals considered offense? Or are we talking strictly offensive TDs?
What good fortune i have, i get to listen to Hawk today, ugh
Slowey’s in control of himself, and the White Sox.
Geez do we have deep pitching…….
Nice article on Mauer maybe needing hernia surgery La Velle.
I hate to keep beating a drum that everyone doesn’t want to hear, but when are the Twins going to move him to another position? He cant run hard on the bases, he is constantly hurt. I don’t care how good his defense is, is he cant play the position with out getting hurt every other month, what’s the point of keeping him back there? There are plenty of good defensive catchers that the twins could get, and they could keep Mauer’s bat in the lineup at DH or 3B?
Its time for Twins fans and Twins management to wake up and smell the coffee.
Man, that’s a tough called third strike on Kubel.
What good fortune i have, i get to listen to Hawk today, ugh
The mute button is your friend. I’ve found using the Twins radio broadcast + the video footage works well enough. (This applies to ESPN broadcasts as well)
There are plenty of good defensive catchers that the twins could get, and they could keep Mauer’s bat in the lineup at DH or 3B?
As it’s been said however, Mauer’s bat is great for a catcher. But move him to 3B or DH and he’s not the kind of offensive production the team needs from those positions.
T,
Mauers bat would be an impovment for the Twins at thoes positions and maybey he wouls hit a bit better if he wasnt hurt.
And whats the point at keeping him at C if he gets hurt and cant play the position?
yeah, i should turn the XM up in my car
T,
Mauers bat would be an impovment for the Twins at thoes positions and maybey he wouls hit a bit better if he wasnt hurt.
And whats the point at keeping him at C if he gets hurt and cant play the position?
You do realize that the catching position is as big of, if not a bigger organizational weakness as 3b and DH, right?
I agree the catching position is a huge hole for the Twins,
But the Point you all are avoiding is Mauer gets Hurt playing that position 2-3 times every year.
If he is hurt he cant play. period.
If he moves positions he can at least play 150+ games a year. heck I would be happy with him playing 130+ games a year
Erik, I would be willing to give Morales a shot. When I saw him in his 1 game in Chicago, he honestly was patient at the plate. Not sure about his defense, but hell why not?
3B is easily the biggest weakness.
You do realize that the catching position is as big of, if not a bigger organizational weakness as 3b and DH, right?
Without Mauer there, yes…it is a weakness. As demonstrated earlier this season…and when anybody not named Redmond or Mauer takes ABs there.
But Mauer’s injury this time around (the one that’s bothering him now) came while running the bases.
Not sure about his defense, but hell why not?
Have there been any updates on his injury? It looked bad when it happened, but I never like when we go this long without an update.
Erik, I would be willing to give Morales a shot. When I saw him in his 1 game in Chicago, he honestly was patient at the plate. Not sure about his defense, but hell why not?
Ahhh, sample size.
Gotta love it, right?
I don’t understand why people are so quick to claim cause and effect between Mauer’s injuries and the fact that he plays catcher. Like T said, his last one came while he was running the bases, not catching. To say that he would get 150+ games at third base is just wild speculation.
And I’m not in the Twin Cities and haven’t been able to see Mauer’s running that people have been talking about, but if I recall correctly, I thought the Twins told him to run like that. Gardy said he had to “run like Redmond.”
3B is easily the biggest weakness.
Danny Valencia, Deibinson Romero, David Winfree, Brian Buscher, and even Matt Moses.
Drew Butera, Jose Morales, Danny Lehmann, Wilson Ramos, Danny Rams.
To be honest with you, I’d rather have the crop of 3b prospects the Twins display than the catching prospects.
I agree the catching position is a huge hole for the Twins,
But the Point you all are avoiding is Mauer gets Hurt playing that position 2-3 times every year.
If he is hurt he cant play. period.
If he moves positions he can at least play 150+ games a year. heck I would be happy with him playing 130+ games a year
So him moving to a different position is going to completely shield him from injuries?
Perhaps Mauer can play inside of a bubble.
KKKKKK for Mr. Slowey.
Hunter looks like he simply wants to leave the Dome ASAP.
I’d rather have the crop of 3b prospects the Twins display than the catching prospects.
Except that the Twins already have players on the major league roster playing catcher. Mauer and Redmond (depending on how they come back from injuries next year).
3B has Buscher and Watkins that have played at the MLB level and shown signs of producing, but neither has proven themselves as ready for everyday status.
Slowey is a K machine.
Except that the Twins already have players on the major league roster playing catcher. Mauer and Redmond (depending on how they come back from injuries next year).
3B has Buscher and Watkins that have played at the MLB level and shown signs of producing, but neither has proven themselves as ready for everyday status.
You obviously didn’t understand the point I was trying to make.
I said that the catching position is a bigger organization weakness than third base.
You just don’t move a guy of Mauer’s ability and talent out of the position that he’s played his entire life…even if he has been battling injuries.
Here’s a question…how many injuries has Mauer suffered while actually being in the catching position? It’s none…you could make a case that his original knee injury was, but you have to remember that he injured that when chasing a foul pop and got his cleat caught in the turf.
I guess I will save all my I told you so for the next couple of years when Joe gets hurt over and over again and if finally moved to another position…
Anyone that thinks there isn’t a correlation to Mauer’s injury running the bases with all the wear and tear he takes as catcher takes is a idiot. How many times have we heard of a player overcompensating for another injury and injuring another part of there body.
How many times will it take Joe to get hurt before you guys change your mind about Joe?
I guess denial isn’t just a river in Egypt.
Anyone that thinks there isn’t a correlation to Mauer’s injury running the bases with all the wear and tear he takes as catcher takes is a idiot.
Guys get hurt running the bases all the time. Look at Morales, Morneau, Cuddyer, Bartlett, and Watkins. Provided Bartlett’s was the only injury suffered that didn’t involve a tumble/collision.
and, dubious arguments aside, the semi-illiterate probably shouldn’t be calling others idiots.
You obviously didn’t understand the point I was trying to make.
I know you were talking about catching within not only MLB but also the minors, but I’m saying that Mauer and Redmond at the moment are filling those spots, so there isn’t as urgent a need for a new catcher as there is over at 3B.
Now, that will probably change next year. Depending on how Redmond and Mauer are doing coming off injury/surgery.
And I think Redmond’s contract was only two years. So he may very well be done next year and they’ll be in need of a backup at least.
I know you were talking about catching within not only MLB but also the minors, but I’m saying that Mauer and Redmond at the moment are filling those spots, so there isn’t as urgent a need for a new catcher as there is over at 3B.
Now, that will probably change next year. Depending on how Redmond and Mauer are doing coming off injury/surgery.
And I think Redmond’s contract was only two years. So he may very well be done next year and they’ll be in need of a backup at least.
It was basically in response to people wanting Mauer to move out from behind the plate and out to third base.
Not including the major league level, the Twins have better third base prospects than catching prospects.
So if you were to move Mauer out from behind the plate, all you’re doing is exploiting another organizational weakness…probably a bigger one than the Twins have with third base right now.
So with Kubel on base again…here’s a question.
Is the 2-spot a good place for Kubel in the lineup? Provided he kips hitting at a consistent rate.
So with Kubel on base again…here’s a question.
Is the 2-spot a good place for Kubel in the lineup? Provided he kips hitting at a consistent rate.
IMO, I’d rather have Kubel lower in the order as more of a run producer.
I’d rather have Kubel lower in the order as more of a run producer.
I’m wondering if that won’t happen depending on what happens with Hunter. Because you take him out of the 4 spot…do they want Kubel/Mauer/Morneau in a row?
Mauer, _____, Morneau, Cuddyer, Kubel? Or does Kubel hit ahead of Cuddyer? That blank spot would hopefully be the new DH/3B.
Nice hit there Cuddy. See how fun it is to do that with the bases juiced?
Some good ABs this inning for the Twins.
Since you guys are talking about catchers, I offer this:
I’ve been told that Wilson Ramos is a stud. Big arm behind the plate and they think he’s a hitter.
If he needs 2-3 more years to get to the majors, that’s enough time to evaluate Mauer’s future as a catcher.
Since you guys are talking about catchers, I offer this:
I’ve been told that Wilson Ramos is a stud. Big arm behind the plate and they think he’s a hitter.
If he needs 2-3 more years to get to the majors, that’s enough time to evaluate Mauer’s future as a catcher.
Yes, but can he play 3b?
Get this…
That was the first four hit inning for the Twins since September 6th.
Slowey’s looked fantastic.
Well, Vikes went final. 13-10.
The Twins have 4 runs and 7 hits, aka 11 total between H/R/E. So…
Regardless of this game’s outcome, the Twins offense outproduced the Vikes 11-10.
The Vikings scored just 10 points. The Twins already have four runs on seven hits. Good grief….
Atta boy Kubel.
My gosh, look at that…
Jason Kubel got a hit off a left handed pitcher.
they Vikings are terrible, ugh
Look at Cuddy go. 2-2 with the bases loaded and 4 RBI.
Those are the kinds of plays that Casilla needs to learn he doesn’t have to try and make.
At least not yet.
I am so glad that the season is amost over and I won’t be tempted to torture myself by reading any more of these lame comments from all you Dorito eating immature alpha-males who constantly try to one-up each other by making fun of other’s comments and grammar. Sometimes I feel like I am in a 4th grade classroom.
I miss Batgirl!
LaVelle, you are great and I always look forward to your articles and posts. Best wishes.
And the Vikings would still have won, if the ref made that call earlier for a touchdown.
A nice move by Gardy to have Hunter come out during the inning.
Yeah Nora. That call stunk. But that’s the NFL. Lame officials and flags, flags, flags.
um? this is a baseball board?
Nope, this is a board where I mention the Packers are 3-0
So we can’t even mention another local sport here, mickey?
Good to see Slowey with another solid start. He looks like a solid starter after his first stint back in June. Boof and Baker still have a lot to prove next spring as far as I’m concerned.
What do ya know…7 runs scored with no Punto in the lineup to kill any rallies.
Buff, if Baker still has alot to prove why doesn’t Slowey? Slowey has not pitched long enough to say he is a solid starter as of yet.
Slowey has had 2 good starts in row which is nice but hardly enough to go on.
What does Baker have to prove?
That he can finish off a no hitter?
Geez, if Baker still has something to prove we might as well trade him now because he’ll never be good enough.
So what is the over under on Hunter coming back? I really think that they can do something if they get creative.
5 years at 17,15,15,10,8 or do something where some of it is deferred over time.
And with Johan… I think they have to trade him this offseason, or they have to commit to a 90 million payroll or they are dead in the water for 2008.
Resign Silva for 5-6 million a year for 3 years, if that’s not enough let him go.
If you keep him and go with a 90 million payroll.
Santana
Silva
Baker
Liriano
Garza
9th Nathan,
8th Neshak, Perkins
7th Crain, Guerrier,
6th Blackburn
I think that they need to try and trade Slowey, maybe Blackburn or Yohan Pina if they are serious about being a contender.
But if they trade Santana to the Red Sox for one of their major league ready pitchers, Elsburry, and either Moss, or Wily Mo Pena… they will solve the CF, the LF/DH issue, and they will have the money between not having Hunter or Santana to go after a real 3rd baseman, and a real 2nd baseman.
If Gardenhire says another thing about Punto being a starter next year, and puts together another lineup with LeCroy, Ford, and Punto in at the same time… he should be fired on the spot.
If Gardenhire says another thing about Punto being a starter next year
You realize Friday night’s lineup was because of the 11 am start on Saturday right?
I mean, it was written on the schedule that’s posted both online and in the paper. It was also mentioned a couple of times that it was starting at 11 on Saturday because of the Gopher’s game.
It’s the same reason lineups look a little funny following a double header.
Baker’s had several starts where he’s got knocked around pretty good. His next two starts after his near perfect game he gave up double digits in hits and his two most recent starts he put the team in a hole by giving up 3 early runs. I just think Baker seems to be a lot more hittable. It is early in his major league career, but Slowey will be a good major league starter. His two most recent starts are very encouraging, plus with his great AAA numbers, I believe he has bigger upside than Baker and Boof. Boof has great stuff. He needs help between the ears and needs to get in better shape to help his stamina.
BC B: Willy Mo is no longer in Boston.
He was traded to Washinton last month.
make that: Washington
Here’s a question for the braintrust. Can anyone answer this question? Do some teams consistently suffer more injuries than others?
How ma runs did Baker give in hs recent starts after his good game. I belive it was no more then 3 or 4 for the whole game. Slowey has had how many starts since his call up? Way too early to decide. Baker is fine, I agreealso Slowey has a bright future but I just don’t agree withthe conclusions you seem to come up to so quickly based on about 2 starts of Baker or Slowey.
Hey La Velle, at least the Vikings’ offense is better than the Bears. Sad but true.
You guys don’t have Peterson; at least we have that.
Also, hope your back is doing better.
Do some teams consistently suffer more injuries than others?
The Cubs’ pitching staff consistantly seems to be in agony. As does the Yankees bullpen (or at least, the bullpen they had going into the season this year)
A couple thoughts on LaVelle’s notes..
I hope Perry has a big beef scale to get a good number on Boof.
Thanks to Torii for many great years and highlight reel catches in CF. It is hard to believe he may not be there in 2008.
I don’t see how Baker is not one of the starters next year. He may not be able to survive a spring like Carlos Silva’s this year, but short of that he has the most experience and demonstrated the most consistency of any of the young starters.
Liriano (if healthy), Garza, Slowey, Perkins, Bonser and maybe Blackburn and Duensing would be in the mix for the remaining three spots or two if they bring back Silva.
Baker’s the real deal, a true pitcher. He might not be as good as his 1-hitter would imply; but he’s one of the Twins top 3 starters and has to be slotted in as a starter next year no matter what kind of spring training he has.
LVN3: You mentioned catcher Wilkin Castillo earlier. Is he now in the Twins system? I see he’s listed as a catcher with AA Mobile (Arizona Diamondbacks). Why did you list him in your blog?
Wilson Ramos, Jimmy. How the heck did you get Wilkin Castillo from Wilson Ramos? Ramos will be good and is a Twin. This was one heck of a draft class and Central American class that the Twins hauled in this year. Might end up being the best ever for them, in fact.
And I agree, the rotation to me should be all but locked up if Liriano is healthy; Santana, Garza, Liriano, Baker, Slowey.
Boof or Nathan (along with Rincon) should be our main trade bait for a bat. If Nathan is dealt, keep Boof in the pen and make him the 8th inning guy behind Neshek. If Nathan is not dealt, deal Boof as a starter to someone for a 3b or DH. We can’t fill those holes via FA in this super weak class, so we need to get creative in trades. After that the bullpen should be:
One of Nathan/Boof, Neshek, Perkins, Guerrier, Reyes, Blackburn, with Crain easing his way in.
And then we have Perkins/Blackburn/Duensing, with Swarzak on the way, all providing insurance should a starter get hurt or falter.
I really have no idea how I got Wilkin Castillo and Wilson Ramos switched. Late night I guess. Thanks for the clarification.
