It’s a Good Day to be Named Mauer
Posted on October 23rd, 2007 – 3:58 PMBy La Velle
If you’re Joe Mauer or Jake Mauer, you’re having a pretty good day.
Joe Mauer, after receiving several opinions, will NOT need hernia surgery. Joe had the procedure done in 2004 and doctors agree that there’s no reason to go back in. Joe is resting for a couple weeks but is expected to swing into full offseason workout mode soon.
Jake Mauer on Tuesday was named manager of the Twins’ rookie league team in the Gulf Coast League. He’s been a coach there the past two seasons.
It’s unknown at this point if Jake will implement Qwickswing sessions with his hitters. (Just kidding!)
93 Responses to "It’s a Good Day to be Named Mauer"
La Velle,
any new info on hunter or santana? nathan?
Is it good news if you are hired as a rookie league manager?
Does Sweet Baby Jesus know about the hernia surgeries they have been doing over in Europe? The recovery time is only about 2 weeks and they have been more successful than the surgeries they are doing in the U.S. Maybe he should look into those!
LEN III
I have seen some rumors that the Cardinals are finally ready to give Scott Rolen the boot because of his poor relationship with LaRussa. Any chance the Twins would be interested if the Cards pick up a portion of the salary? Have you heard any names that the Twins might be interested in?
Also how about that final drive against the Iggles? I hope that turns the season around!
I read somewhere that the D-backs are concerned about their starting pitching for next season, and are rumored to be putting Chad Tracy’s name out there for a trade. I’d definately consider a deal for him.
Hmm, I wonder would pitcher it would take to get Chad Tracy and Eric Byrnes? I think Byrnes would not do well in replacing Hunter, but is fun to watch and listen to. Bring the “Human Crash Test Dummy” to the Twins!!
Sorry to repost this (can’t cut, copy & paste). How about Johan to SD for P Chris Young, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, 2B prospect Craig Stansberry, and either CF prospect Mike Sansoe or Drew Macias?
Sorry for the repost but you get the same answer.
The Padres are trying to save money right now and wouldn’t they want to pay Jake Peavy first? Just a thought.
Eric Byrnes just signed a 4 year extension why would they trade him now? Also he may have a no trade clause in that extension.
jama,
Pitching is at premium so it takes something to get something. If the price is right I am sure even Byrnes would be considered for someone like Johan.
Whoo…are the names flying out there now!
Haven’t heard any names yet, but I’m sure things will shake out over the next few weeks. The GM meetings are coming up in November. That’s when teams start to work on trades. That’s when the Twins dealt A.J.
Buyer beware on Scott Rolen. He’s been injured in two of the last three seasons, $10 million of his contract is deferred (who pays that?) and he has a full no-trade clause - so he probably wouldn’t waive the clause unless a new contract is part of it.
Chad Tracy? I rather wonder if the Twins can trade someone other than Matt Garza for Jason Bay…
Bay or Burrell but not for more than Rincon and a prospect.
Is there anything else the Twins org. will do for the Mauers? Good Lord…I thought wasting a draft pick on terrible player from a D-3 school was bad enough…then signing the other one who was an even worse player from another D-3 school out of sympathy…
good news on baby jesus. now heres to hoping he is hitting in the 2 hole next year…
Bay and Burrell K too often to be a Twin regular. They could play part time in a platoon maybe.
Bill Smith must be lying about Santana anchoring the Twins rotation in 2008. People here keep trading him.
La Velle, the best news of the day was that we got Bobby Cuellar back, as the manager at AA! That is HUGE for our organization. I’m expecting big improvement from the staff at AA now, especially Sosa. A lot of us have been calling for the Twins to bring him back in the fold for a while now. I’m glad they did!
Oh what I’d give to have a few of those several opinions Joe had, done on me. Beautiful chicks opinions speak volumes. Wonder just how much rest he’s getting, lol.
I want to know who taught the Mauer boys how to play baseball. They certainly knew what they were doing.
Jake Mauer has a bright future for the Twins as a coach/manager. If he can impart some of his baseball knowledge to the youngsters in the rookie league, he will certainly get them off to a great start as professionals.
When Joe Mauer came up as a rookie, he was the best rookie player I have ever seen. He played much better than most veterans, especially by today’s standards. Joe is such a complete all-around player. He is one of the most fundamentally sound players I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching, and that swing is a thing of beauty. I don’t know how he learned to play so well, so quickly. He is amazing.
There is an often repeated blasphemous reference associated with Joe Mauer. An example is at 5:09 pm above. I don’t understand why anyone would repeat such a thing.
the best of nick punto played on baseball tonight seasons best, that won’t help
Bobby Cuellar is back! He is now the manager of the New Britain Rock Cats. All he did was teach Johan and Fransico how to throw a change-up. Anyone besides me think this is good for all of those great pitching prospects in our system? Now all we need to do is lose the Gardentool.
Jake Mauer’s career minor league stats: In 1040 ABs he posted a .256/.338/.292 line.
The only reason him, or his brother, were even given a chance to play after college was to support Baby Jesus. No offense to Jake, Im sure he is a great guy and drinks Land O’Lakes Milk, but the guy played D3 baseball for a reason and you dont get coaching jobs in the minor leagues by not being any good at baseball. Im pretty sure that was given to him as a “Thank You” from the orginization.
CC, read my post above. I am ECSTATIC about this move! I expect GREAT things from that AA staff. La Velle, it’d be great if one of you or Joe would do a piece on Cuellar and just what he has meant to the Twins’ organization. Great move for the Twins!
Coaching has nothing to do with playing ability though.
Jake may well have been hired because of Joe (of course it at least gives him a better chance), but to degrade him as a coach because of his playing abilities is off-base IMO.
I couldn’t agree more with Justin. Coaching has nothing at all to do with playing ability. Yelling and spitting at umpires and putting line ups together doe’s not take a whole lot of talent. As for D3 players . . . .the only reason they play for D3 teams is because of grades, not talent. How many Dominican players went to D1 colleges?
Bill Smith must be lying about Santana anchoring the Twins rotation in 2008. People here keep trading him.
Would he pull the trigger on a trade? Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean he won’t at least listen if somebody comes calling.
And for the record, upon reading LEN3’s article this morning, I ran to the local courthouse and my name legally changed to Justin Mauer.
When I arrived at work this morning, I learned I had been promoted, had earned a raise, and was now hitting over 30 points higher.
…Okay, I was exaggerating on that last one.
La Velle,
I love hearing your segments on the PA and Dubay show. I hope the twins sign Hunter or they are going to lose Santana and it will be a domino effect. As much as I love my hometown team, I don’t know that they can justify to the fans when we are so very close to not only getting to the playoffs but going after a world series. We are 2 hitters away and probably one starting pitcher. I believe Garza is the answer and Santana, Liriano, Garza and Baker may be a nice playoff rotation. I just hope they keep Torii…otherwise I am not sure how much I want to see them at the new stadium…
Anthony
Craig
What was wrong with my post at 5:09? Have you read up on the hernia surgeries over in Europe? The surgeries are real and soccer players have been getting them for years now, and they typically return to action in 2-3 weeks. I was not ripping Mauer, as much as I want to, but I was wondering if he had looked into all the options.
Pioneer Press had a report that Silva turned down a 3 year $21 mil deal. He, like Torii, wants at least 4 years guaranteed. I am suprised the Twins even gave him the offer that they did. With money being somewhat tight couldn’t 7 mil per year be spent in other areas?
You beat me to it jama!
Any word or update on that offer LEN3?
“As for D3 players . . . .the only reason they play for D3 teams is because of grades, not talent. How many Dominican players went to D1 colleges?”
Ummm…No. The reason they play D3 baseball is because they just no good. D3 baseball is a joke. MIAC baseball is laughable. A decent JUCO team would run the table in the MIAC. And regarding Domincans, they dont go to college. They go to the minors. FACT. You sir, are wrong.
And coaching does have to do with playing ability. Good players often make good coaches. I dont see how a player who never got out of AA ball would be a good coach for 18-year old rookies. You want guys who have been in the show around those kids. A Terry Steinbach type player. Someone for them to look up to, to listen to, to soak in every last bit of knowledge that they have. Someone who has been in the minors and fought their way through the struggles of the minor leagues and actually made it. I probably wouldnt listen to someone who is only known for being Joe Mauer’s brother…but hey…thats just me.
In regards to Rollen, it seems he hates LaRussa as much as LaRussa hates him. Don’t you think that he would be willing to leave St. Louis just to get away from Tony? I realize it is not very likely but if I’m BS I at least make a call.
Dave, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Was that the side of the bed that was never a minor leaguer, never lived that lifestyle and didn’t win D3 championships? Because unless you can give insight to having lived that life, the work that it takes being on the road (13hr bus rides)trips in towns where ther are no fans and where you have to make your meal money last because you’re making nothing at all then I think you could tone it down on just being promoted because of a last name. Jake I’m sure could argue that regardless of his last name,he still has spent countless hours at the field molding those young men not only to be fundamentally sound athletes, but reminding them that they have reputations and responsibilities off the field as well. I think being a coach is not just about how far up the ladder you made it but whether or not you can teach people, men, how to be respectable men and not to just take a pitch or turn a double play.
jama,
Do I have to draw diagrams for you? Use your dictionary.
I’m sending Father Damien Karras over to see you and Dave. I don’t think anything else will work.
Actually I played college ball, but sadly, reached my peak at that level. Thanks for rubbing it in! I have been around the game long enough to have a justified opinion on the caliber of ball that is played at the D3 level. They do not offer scholarships and anyone with a pulse and a glove can have a uniform. Winning a D3 championship is great and all, but it basically is like having a really good JV team. With regards to Jake being a coach, good for him. Like I said before, I just cant imagine him getting that job if his last name wasnt Mauer. And regards to him as a player, if you can justify that draft pick in any other way…please feel free to do so. Im not trying to hate on the guy…just stating the facts that no one seems to recognize.
Dave,
You have stated my pt. Just as you don’t like to be reminded that you never played beyong college I’m sure anyone who knows Jake or that situation hates being told or reading for that matter that his being drafted and promoted was because of his last name, something he has no control over. As for not hating, that’s exactly what you were doing but it’s nice of you to mention anyway. It is good for him and as he did in the minor leagues, he will work hard and earn the respect of those around him. You are right about one thing, your opinion…it’s just that, yours. You may keep it forever and ever just be mindful of what you’re saying because even though we’re all fans, at the end of the day players, coaches, staff etc they’re all people with real lives and feelings and they don’t go and bother you at your job.
I guess I’m with Kevin here. I don’t understand how playing major league baseball has anything to do with teaching rookie league guys how to properly field a position. I’m thinking these rookie league guys are going to listen to whatever coach is in front of them if they want to advance in the Twins organization. If a player blows off the coach because he played D-3 ball and didn’t get past AA ball, I don’t think he would be in the organization very long.
Those that can’t do, teach.
Craig
I guess you will ahve to draw diagrams because I am completely confused. Are you refering to “Sweet Baby Jesus”? It’s a nickname that has been given to him and also a joke. Are you offended by people calling Adrian Peterson, “Purple Juesus”?
If so, I now know and will continue to use the phrases.
When it comes to Jake coaching, do you think there will be any ill will if for some reason Joe is no longer in the Twins organization.(ie. Trade, Leaving via Free Agency) Just curious what peoples thoughts are on that.
Wow. Let me put it to you this way: I would hope that all of you have a job of some sort that you go to everyday. How do you feel when you see someone get a job/promotion because of who he knows, who is father is, or even his last name? Do the people in your workplace give the proper respect to that person, knowing the only reason they are there is because someone pulled strings for them?
“….I am completely confused.”
I know.
BABY JESUS = JOE MAUER
If that offends anyone, well, Im sorry. Its a sweet nickname and very appropriate. Joe Mauer is really, really good at baseball.
BTW, my puppy is named Mauer.
Boy, I hope that means I will have a day off of cleaning up after her.
I guess you will ahve to draw diagrams because I am completely confused.
I think it’s pretty obvious that Craig is offended by your use of the word “Europe”
The thought that a nation might exist outside the US, and that fact that it may even have something in which it is better than the US utterly offends the very foundation on which his belief structure was built.
Or maybe he’s just looking to pick fights regarding Sweet Baby J.
There is an often repeated blasphemous reference associated with Joe Mauer.
In retrospect, you’re right. It is wrong to compare Joe Mauer to Jesus.
I mean, it’s not fair to Joe Mauer. Did Jesus ever win a batting title? Did he ever appear in an All-Star Game?
Come on Craig. Lighten up. It’s a nickname. But if you want to complain about one…how about Randy Johnson’s old title?
Was anybody else utterly shocked that almost every major broadcast network had no problem repeatedly referring to somebody as “The Big Unit”? Or am I the only one who saw the innuendo there?
MLB trade rumors reported that the twins offered silva a 3 year deal worth slightly more then 7mil a year..
silva wants 4 years..
looks like he is gone
As much as he looked to be turning things around this year, we’ve got pitchers who are just as good that are less expensive.
It’s too bad.
T,
Craig is very international and is not offended by “Europe”.
I don’t think Johnson or anyone else was offended by the name “The Big Unit”. You would hate to be the player known as “The Little Unit”, though. Hey, the water was cold in that shower!
If the rumor is true regarding Silva, it sounds to me like he is close to coming to terms with the Twins. Four years isn’t a long term for a 28 year old pitcher.
BAD NEWS about Mauer. If there’s something wrong, too bad they can’t or won’t fix it.
So that means Mauer will have a cloud hanging over him, and every time he feels the hernia acting up he’ll have to sit out.
4 years isnt bad for a 28 yr old pitcher.. the bad part is he will be commanding 10-12 mil a year on the market…
and there is NO way i want the twins paying him that much.. 8 mil tops
If the Twins could get Silva on a 4 year 28-30 million dollar deal, it’s a steal. If that’s what they can truly get him for, consider it a done deal. The Twins will take that deal.
I can’t believe with the so called budget restraints, the Twins are willing to give Silva 7 million a season. Spend the money on Torii or some other hitters. We have more than enough pitchers qualified to pitch .500 ball. Plus Silva never pitches well in Cleveland or Chicago. Let him walk.
Adios Carlos. NO WAY WE PAY HIM 4/40
And in all seriousness…we dont need him. Go buy a stick.
Four years at 40-48 million sounds more real world. I don’t think the Twins will go that high. They should, because there is such a pitching shortage in baseball. They always could swap him if they want to add a youngster to the rotation.
Craig - I agree. 4 years for $30m would be a steal. Silva may not be lights out, but he is the workhorse the Twins need. The young pitchers are great, but none of them have thrown over 200 innings in their careers.
And it might help the Twins get Santana on an extension.
Can you imagine how bad the offense is going to be if you spend $7-$10 mil per on Silva? I like Silva and he is going to do well for some team the next couple of years, I just hope it isn’t the Twins. They need offense not pitching.
Craig
If he turned down the contract, what makes you think the Twins are close to signing him? No where in the report did it say the money was close to right. I think you took a big leap from him turning down the contract to him almost being signed.
What ever happended to Joe C. after Game 7 in Boston? No follow up on the Indians collapse. Maybe someone should tell Joe C. the ALCS is over.
They could tell him that the World Series is starting tonight!
B - You are right Silva can be that workhorse. They need him. Also, I think you are right, Santana would have that extra motivation to stay with his buddy. Both these players love the Twins and are top notch guys.
I’ll bet even more than having Silva stay, Santana would love to see Nathan’s contract extended. Johan isn’t a complete game pitcher. Starters still want to be credited with the win. Santana needs Nathan to achieve the win.
The Twins have the funds, I don’t see any reason not to keep all three of these players.
jama,
I didn’t read the rumor, just the post by mh. I interpreted his post to mean they had agreed on the yearly salary of a little over 7 million, but Silva just wanted another year. That was an incorrect interpretation. Too good to be true. If it takes 4/48 that’s still a good deal for the Twins, but not a steal.
4/48 a good deal? For Carlos Silva…you bet. 12 million a year???? WOW!!! Someone will pay him that but it surely wont be the Minnesota Twins…
No way in hell we pay Silva that amount of money. I think while retaining Silva’s services would be a wise move, especially if Santana is traded, I think 4 at 48 is way too much for a guy who seems excel only in odd-numbered years 
YEAHHH BUDDY! The TWOLVES OVER HAUL CONTINUES!!!!
now lets hope the Twins, (IF THEY DECIDE TO TRADE PLAYERS) CAN GET SOME TALENT IN RETURN!
While the Twins offered 3 years/$22 million, I have always figured that would be the low end for Silva. I always figured his actual value is a little closer to $8.5-9 mil./year. (Not accounting for market competition driving his price up)
Nowhere have I heard if the money was anywhere near what Silva wants. The report that I’ve heard to this point is a bit vague on what Silva is requesting other than the 4 years.
If Silva has already waited this long why not wait another 3 weeks and see what’s out there in free agency? It would be a stupid move to sign with the Twins now.
Unfortunately, I think an overhaul is necessary. Despite what a previous poster claimed (one pitcher, two batters), I personally think we’re further away than that. Everyone is making the broad assumption that Liriano is coming and will contribute, that all of these players who had nice years in ‘06 but down years in ‘07 are going to bounce back, that we’ll resign Hunter, and that the young pitchers (Garza, Baker, et al) will continue to improve.
Lots of ifs…
And what about the bullpen? That bad boy was TAXED this past season. Gardy’s handling of the bullpen was eerily reminiscent of Joe Torre’s handling of the bullpen in New York the past few years.
I don’t think Johnson or anyone else was offended by the name “The Big Unit”.
I wouldn’t say I was “offended”, just surprised that such innuendo would be consistantly read/heard/seen in the media. The FCC normally pounces on even the slightest innuendo.
Though with the way these sporting folk (specially the ESPNites) try to sound hip, I wouldn’t be surprised if they had no idea what they were saying when they constantly called him “Big Unit”.
I mean, this is the same network that has just now started using such terms as “own” “woot” and other popular internet slang (from five years ago)
They should, because there is such a pitching shortage in baseball.
“Twins” and “pitching shortage” do not belong in the same sentence. Not when you’ve got a team that’s got such a glut of pitching throughout the system that they’re actually letting some of it just..go (Durbin, Helling, etc)
It would be a stupid move to sign with the Twins now.
Exactly. I wouldn’t be surprised if Silva becomes this year’s Gil Meche.
The front office may have made a play for Silva as a stable veteran in the event that Santana is dealt this offseason. Of course that’s all conjecture on my part.
Silva = Gil Meche…GOOD CALL
Hmmm…I see Kyle Lohse is a free agent
I wonder what the price is going to be for Bartolo Colon? That is more the type of pitcher the Twins normally go after. He did “win” a Cy Young but would be a HUGE injury risk. Could you imagine a rotation that had Boof and Bartolo on it? All they would need is Sabathia and they would have 3/5 of an offensive line.
And I see my bedroom door getting smashed with a baseball bat if we sign him
Especially if they resigned Silva, who is not “svelte” by any means (or rather, any way you “slice it” which seems more appropriate per this discussion).
“Dave says:
October 24th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
And I see my bedroom door getting smashed with a baseball bat if we sign him”
What do you mean?
dont you remember Kyle Lohse smashing Gardy’s office door with bat after he got yanked after yet another poor outing? Needless to say…he was sent on his way shortly after.
Top eight reasons Torii will receive 6/100. (I couldn’t come up with 10)
8)5/70 JD Drew
7)5/75 Ordonez (Signed in 2005)
6)5/90 Ichiro
5)6/100 Carlos Lee
4)7/119 Beltran
3)7/126 Vernon Wells
2)8/136 Soriano
1)7/140 What Boras reportedly wants for Andruw.
Top 10 Reasons why the Twins wont sign him:
10)Carl Pohlad
9) Carl Pohlad 
Carl Pohlad
7) Carl Pohlad
6) Carl Pohlad
5) Carl Pohlad
4) Carl Pohlad
3) Carl Pohlad
2) Carl Pohlad
1) Carl Pohlad
When Morneau signs his contract in November of 2010 for 9/270, Torii’s contract will look dirt cheap. Justin will look great in pinstripes playing for the Bombers.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARDY
HUNTER WANTS TO STAY IN MINNESOTA
Im pretty sure Gardy wants him here too…
What could possibly give any of you the idea Hunter would even consider signing with the Twins?
What could possibly give any of you the idea Hunter would even consider signing with the Twins?
The fact he’s come out and said he wants to stay in Minnesota. He wants 4-5 years so he can finish up his career without anymore contract negotiations.
Do you have a link?
I don’t need a link. How many interviews has he given where he’s said he likes the Twins and wants to stay?
Heck, the FSN interview in which he first confirmed the Twins had offered him a 3 yr/$45 mil offer had all kinds of good quotes about the situation.
He said that he saw the longterm contracts guys like Vernon Wells were signing, and he wants one of those.
He would take 4-5 yrs at $15 mil if the Twins offered it. He doesn’t want options, we know this from his quotes in the past few years regarding the constant string of one-yr contracts.
To summarize briefly: There is no one interview or story that has it all. But if you’ve been paying attention to them as a whole, you can see what Hunter is looking for.
The Twins are stupid for not making at least some kind of 4-5 year offer. Give him something to at least consider when he’s out on the market. Sure he may get $1-2 million more per year elsewhere, but if he likes the Twins org he’ll take a slightly lesser deal.
It’s the same situation we saw play out with Koskie. Koskie wanted to be a Twin, bought a home in Minnesota…and was happy with the contract (both years and money). Why did he refuse? Because the Twins didn’t want to give him a no trade clause.
He didn’t want to move to Minnesota, get all situated, and then get traded halfway through the first year of his new contract.
Had they given him the no-trade clause, he probably would’ve retired as a career Twin along with Radke.
Hunter deserves that same respect from the team. Give him the 4-5 yr $15 mil deal so he can play out his career in a Twins uni.
This is despite all the statements to the contrary, e.g. playing with D. Young, playing in front of a large African-American community, playing in Atlanta, playing close to home in Texas, etc.
So while you might not need a link, “I” need a link.
A 5 year deal flies in the face of what the Twins have notoriously done in the past with contracts…they’re NOT going to give him a 5 year deal when they wouldn’t give Jesus Joe Mauer more than a four year deal.
Bye bye Torii…and for all of his yapping about thinking about playing close to him (I believe he said thought about it a lot, paraphrase), and I can’t say that I’m going to miss that crap.
Also, regardless of your thoughts on Mauer, you don’t call out a teammate like that in pubic, even if he’s a pansy.
playing close to “home” not “him”
I don’t think the Twins “owe” Hunter anything. They have already paid him over $50 million dollars. I hate this “Torii deserves better from the Twins” Why? And don’t give me the he was a good teammate and leader BS. It’s a business and Torii isn’t worth the money he is going to get. Plain and Simple.
Thanks Jama…well stated. TO be honest, I’m not quite sure he was a good teammate either. I think we start regretting this deal a few years down the road. Unfortunately, this type of organization can’t easily absorb a contract like this if the player isn’t performing well (i.e. we’re stuck with him…think Johnny Damon or Jason Giambi in NY).
T, in his unabashed and infinite wisdom, may not need a link, but I do…was this the link to which you were referring?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3078990
Report: Hunter says Twins haven’t made any offers since end of season
Twins free agent All-Star outfielder Torii Hunter hasn’t had any contract offers from Minnesota since the regular season ended, according to a media report.
Torii Hunter
Hunter
Center Field
Minnesota Twins
Profile
2007 Season Stats GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
160 28 107 94 .334 .287
“I’m kind of disappointed, but what can you do?” Hunter told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “That’s my home team; I want to be with my home team. But there are no talks, no progress at all. It’s still the same. But there’s still a lot of time left.”
Hunter alluded to the fact that money was an issue, but certainly not the main sticking point for re-signing with the Twins.
Hunter definitely seems to contradict himself. On one hand, this is “home” for him, but on the other hand, we’ve heard Hunter discuss at a great lengths his desire to play in front of large African-American fans, play close to his home in Texas (”I’ve thought about it a lot-a-bit”), or play with his buddy Dmitri Young for those up-and-coming Nationals (sarcasm).
So which is it, Torii?
2 things to consider, how are his 28 hr and 107 rbi going to be replaced on a team that can’t score runs? will 15 mill really be a lot of salary in 4 or 5 years? is he great? no, but what is the alternative? i saw a rumor had the royals willing to give rowand 6-84. that’s sick. there are lots of holes to fill and not much talent out there to fill them. could be a long year.
It’s probably going to be a long year with or without Hunter. I would prefer to save the money for a long term player.
If Silva wants big bucks, let him go. Garza, Slowey, Duensing, Blackburn, Perkins, etc. can replace him. If Hunter thinks he’s irreplaceable, let him go to. Hate to say it, but I think Tyner can spell Hunter in CF with Kubel and Cuddyer on either side of him until trade deadline. Someone has to go to get a 3B and/or DH though. My suggested trade to the Padres would make sense, but probably more for ‘09 than ‘08.
Mack o’ the north, you’re right about Silva being replaceable, particularly for the money he wants. But Tyner instead of Hunter “until trade deadline”? Whew! First, Tyner isn’t even close to the offensive player Hunter is and he isn’t as good defensively, either. The Twins would simply be awful because you know they won’t go get anyone good to play 3B or DH. They’ll take a flyer on a Tony Batista type (like Koskie), but that’s it. Second, who do you think will be available at the trade deadline? There is simply no one available that the Twins would consider and who would come close to Hunter’s production now or at the deadline.
Think of it this way. Hunter got paid $12 million last year. The number that keeps being thrown around to keep him is an average of $15 million per for the next 5 years. That means the Twins could offer pay him $13 million in ‘08, $14 million in ‘09, $15 million in ‘10, etc. That’s really not that much of a hit to payroll. Even at an average of $16 million per, the hit to payroll isn’t that big. Offering Silva $7 million per constitutes a bigger change.
