What Gardy wants, plus a programming note
Posted on July 14th, 2008 – 9:58 AMBy La Velle
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on Sunday talked about how he’d like to improve his team before the July 31 deadline for trades without waivers. I ran out of room to post his comments in today’s paper, mainly because I found out yesterday afternoon that the Twins have placed a call into the Mariners about third baseman Adrian Beltre.
Gardenhire said he would be in touch with general manger Bill Smith over the All-Star break about potential moves. He didn’t sound like anything was close, but at least the Twins are looking at options now.
When asked if he had a wish list, Gardenhire: “The one thing we had a hard time with in the first half was left-handed pitching,’’ he said. “When (Michael) Cuddyer comes back, that’s always gong to help, but if you have to make adjustments we need to hit lefties better than we did this half.
“You always look at your bullpen to make sure you are O.K. there. We about murdered them the first half.’’’
I agree. Those are the two areas that should be addressed.
I still rank getting someone to help them with the eighth inning above getting a third baseman. But, I must admit, you wonder what’s in store for Justin Morneau the rest of the season after Detroit manager Jim Leyland intentionally walked him four times after he went 5 for 5 with a homer on Thursday.
Leyland won’t be the only manager to avoid Morneau and pitch to Jason Kubel, Craig Monroe or whoever bats behind the big Canadian. Cuddyer, if his hand is healthy, can help. And, as of now, no one knows when Cuddyer is coming back. His hand isn’t getting better, which is a growing concern. He was really down in the dumps in Detroit because he couldn’t do anything other than run and get treatment.
Thursday’s workout will be important. That’s when Cuddy will try to grab a bat. If he’s still having trouble, he may not be back until August.
Anyway, I’ll make my usual Monday appearance with KFAN’s P.A. and Dubay at 11:05 a.m. today. BUT I’m also filling in from Noon-3 p.m. after that!!! We’re going to have a pretty good show.
We’re tying to get Justin Morneau on for five minutes during the noon hour. Class AAA Rochester manager Stan Cliburn will come on about 1:20 to talk about prospects. And Ken Lipshez of the New Britain Herald will follow Cliburn to talk about the Class AA Rock Cats.
During the final hour, we expect to check in with the T-Wolves’s Kevin Love as he prepares to play in the Las Vegas summer league. If you have nothing to do….
264 Responses to "What Gardy wants, plus a programming note"
If only the Twins had any prospects in Rochester!
New Britain has been incredibly disappointing, but at least they have Luke Hughes, Dustin Martin, Erik Lis, Brock Peterson, Yohan Pino, Danny Valencia, Brian Dinkelman, Jeff Manship and Rob Delaney! (And Winfree and Moses! :))
Ask what’s happened to Anthony Swarzak! Wow!
I’m being slightly sarcastic on Rochester. I guess Mulvey and Plouffe are solid prospects. Duensing still has to be considered a prospect. Humber could become a prospect again if he continues to pitch well out of the bullpen… maybe there is your new 8th inning guy 
Obviously Liriano is worth discussion time! Korecky, in my mind, is more of a 6th/7th inning guy.
Time to make the run now and continue into the future. Package Cuddyer (as much as I hate saying that), Boof, Humber, Pridie and Duensing and send them to the Rockies for Holiday or the Pirates for Jason Bay. Either one of those covers the power-hitting right-handed hitter to place between the M&M boys. Than move Gomez to the 9th spot in the order. Like this…
Casilla, Mauer, Holiday/Bay, Morneau, Young, Kubel, Punto, Buscher and Gomez.
I believe after the first inning, the leadoff hitter is not as important as getting guys on base with speed throughout the game. You still keep Gomez and Casilla together in the order for RBI guys Mauer, Morneau and whoever is hitting in the 3 spot. And if Buscher’s defense starts to go down hill with his bat, throw Harris at 3B and flip-flop him and Punto in the batting order. Punto at SS is a good thing from the Twins standpoint. They knew Adam Everett hit with a wet noodle, so offensive production is not expected from that position.
Holiday? Now way that happens. Plus, the whole point is to stick someone BEHIND Morneau, not in front of him.
Beltre would be a nice signing if his wrist was ok. Why not Sexon and Beltre, both?…
Gus,
“Package Cuddyer (as much as I hate saying that), Boof, Humber, Pridie and Duensing and send them to the Rockies for Holiday or the Pirates for Jason Bay”
Why would the Rockies/Pirates trade valuable players like Holliday and Bay for expendable spare parts from the Twins?
There are other teams interested that would trade someone or something VALUABLE to obtain Holliday or Bay.
The Rockies and Pirates will wait for the best package offered and if the Twins offer contains only players whom we can “spare”, THAT offer is a joke.
Seth when do you think we will be seeing the first signs of Liriano in the rotation again. I kind of wonder if he will start out of the bullpen for us at first. Another thing is when did all star break become 3 days. I seem to remember it being longer of a break before.
Why would the Pirates take Cuddyer (who’s worse than Bay) and a bunch of bottom barrel prospects for Jason Bay. They already have a bunch of Boofs and Humbers and Pridies. That’s the problem. They could get 2-4 top level prospects for him. I like the idea but you’re going to have to come up with better pitchers than that to throw in. How about giving them the Guerra kid from the Santana deal with Cuddyer and Duensing. I think that’s closer at least.
Liriano DY and Cuddy for Holliday is more like it
I think Liriano is ready, but the Twins certainly aren’t giving any indication that he’ll be called up now. So, maybe they’ll wait until there is an injury to one of the starters. I don’t think that he should be brought up to pitch out of the bullpen though.
“Casilla, Mauer, Holiday/Bay, Morneau, Young, Kubel, Punto, Buscher and Gomez.”
————————————
Where does Denard Span fit in all of this? You absolutely cannot justify sending him down at this point. As much as Gomez has meant to this team and has been our permanent fixture at CF this year, I’d send him down before Span, as Gomez is struggling lately and hasn’t stepped up the maturity.
If the Twins make no moves it will be tough to decide who goes down when Cuddy comes back. My suggestion is that we don’t send anyone down, we release Craig Monroe. Maybe if Gardy would tell Monroe to stop trying to hit home runs every at-bat he might contribute, but he does nothing but swing at pitches low-and-away and puts up an 0 for 4 night.
sid-Before we deem different trade scenarios a joke,we must examine what’s behind such trade scenarios.We didn’t grow up in the age of fantasy sports,such trade ideas are doable in a fantasy league but not in reality!
“I don’t think that he should be brought up to pitch out of the bullpen though.”
I agree 100 percent and Thank’s Seth. I don’t know if Slowey is hurt so maybe an opening there for Liriano
Gomez and Liriano for Matt Holliday or Garrett Atkins is a package that is maybe doable for both sides
Prediction:
Liriano will continue to get jerked around the whole year.
Then, when Liriano reaches Free Agency and leaves the Twins for a better offer, the Twins, their fans, their media and their posters will all ask “Where is the loyalty?”
sid I think you are on the right track with Liriano but I think he and one of our OF’s are part of some package deal of the future.
Prospect Update - Denard Span… by John Sickels…
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/7/14/570778/prospect-update-denard-spa
Sid, hopefully fans now days are aware it’s not about loyalty, winning games or prettier uniforms. It’s about money.
But Gardy is on the record as saying he’s not messing with Liriano’s arm by bringing him up for relief roles or being the fifth starter. Sounds like the front office wants him to be in a structured rotation and to get fully back to his former level of play.
Wow, I know you have to give up stuff to get stuff. But to trade your two best young pitchers (Garza & Liriano) in successive years is insane.
CMATH:
You are absolutely right. Our young players on the roster right now are absolutely untouchable. If any are traded I will hold a picket sign outside of the Dome which says “Brett Favre For President.”
There I said it!
“Wow, I know you have to give up stuff to get stuff. But to trade your two best young pitchers (Garza & Liriano) in successive years is insane.”
————————————–
Not only that, but also trading away perennial CY Young contender Santana last offseason as well. IF they were to trade away Liriano they’d be trading away a playoff pitching staff in the course of 12-18 months or so.
Twins cannot let Liriano go. The kid threw for 12 wins in ‘06 in limited starts and hasn’t thrown much in MLB since. He’s lighting it up in AAA right now and will produce for us when the time comes. I think Gardy and others are doing the right thing by not rushing him up right now. Where do they put him? All of our starters are doing well, even Livan, who’s won 9 games and provided quality starts in others. Plug Liriano in if we trade Livan or after the year, but you can’t justify throwing him in there now just because there’s fan pressure to.
A strong righty to solidify the 5th spot would be HUGE for this lineup. Provided they continue with Gomez/Casilla at the top.
Do I think they need to try Span in the leadoff spot coming out of the break? It depends on how things look.
It could be that Gardy hasn’t been eager to shift Gomez around too much because he knows something we don’t (like that Span is getting shopped around)
Could we live with Span getting traded if it brings in a solid hitter to protect Morneau?
Dan, you have it right.
Except the part about “fan pressure.”
I have been getting the feeling the front office doesn’t listen to us too good.
Just IMHO.
Plus Santana, camt.
La Velle, I was out of town for two weeks. did the Twins use any of their money savings and future income to sign any Latin players, or did they sit it out?
As for what they need - RH bat, Gomez either 9th or out of the lineup, a dominant pitcher for the playoffs and another set up guy. That’s a lot to ask of any GM to acquire, especially considering they traded their two best pitchers and let their 3rd best hitter walk in the offseason already. If smith pulls off one of those I’ll be impressed. They don’t have a lot in Rochester (ie, young, immediate help) to trade someone at this point.
Before we deem different trade scenarios a joke,we must examine what’s behind such trade scenarios.
The deal jb proposed smacks of the typical “package up everything I don’t like to get something I do” trade that we often see this time of year.
I’m not saying it’s something only JB does, but JB’s was a good example of it.
CMath I simply said what it would take to get a Matt Holliday. The truth hurts but that is what they would probably ask for. Anything else and BS would get laughed out of there office. Boof for Holliday ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……
Uh, maybe I’m stupid, but exactly how have the Twins “jerked around” Liriano this year?
Sheesh.
Span, Gomez, and Young are the future of the Twins. Breaking up that group would be assinine. They remind me of
Gaetti, Hrbek, and Puckett. That is the surrounding cast you have GOT to keep intact around our All-Stars.
Never ever split up your nucleus.
Things blow up.
the way i understood things, liriano asked to be sent down…..
liriano should spend the whole season in AAA unless the twins absolutely need him. he is having to completely change the way he is throwing the baseball. some of these trade scenarios are nutty..as in anything involving gomez, young, or liriano. i could see cuddy getting traded, but i’m not sure what we could get for him, especially with his recent injury. i’d rather see the twins not make a trade than do something stupid that could affect them down the line; the team they are fielding now can compete with any team in the league.
Say we do make a trade for Beltre (Twins making a trade kind of sounds like an Oxymoron). What do you think it would take to get him? I am guessing it would be a 4 player/1 and maybe a reliever deal. Hughes, Span, Humber, and a Class A prospect.
“Could we live with Span getting traded if it brings in a solid hitter to protect Morneau?”
“Span, Gomez, and Young are the future of the Twins. Breaking up that group would be assinine. They remind me of
Gaetti, Hrbek, and Puckett. That is the surrounding cast you have GOT to keep intact around our All-Stars.”
Holy cow folks, I think we all need to take a step back with the Denard Span love. He’s been great in his latest call-up, and has had huge numbers in AAA this year. But to make him untouchable? To consider him along the lines of “Gaetti, Hrbek, and Puckett”?
Denard Span isn’t a .300 hitter. He isn’t going to keep on raking or getting on base like he has this year. He is going through a great stretch right now, but he is going to cool off.
Don’t any fans remember Lew Ford? He tore it up very similar to the way Span is now back in 2003, and then had a monster April in 2004. That was pretty much the high point of his career, and he tailed off from there.
Can Span be better than Lew Ford? Probably. Is he going to be an All-Star? Probably not. And I can definitely “live with” Span being traded if it brings us some much needed right handed hitting help.
Tom is another one who is right on. I am pretty sure Francisco has been advised that he will make a LOT more money over the long term by doing what the Twins tell him.
He should be thinking about a contract about as big as the economy of a third world country someday from SOMEBODY.
After the Twins get his best years out of him and he could possibly be washed up and we are tired of watching him give up homers, like you know who.
What’s the deal with Cuddyer? Why is his return that big of a deal? The guy has 3 HR’s this year and a whopping 16 last year. He’s an average MLB outfielder even though he has a good arm. Why are people so in love with him? Is it because they like his magic tricks? Because he’s a really nice guy? I’d package him and Bonser and a prospect to Seattle for Beltre.
Pete!
You take that back!(LOL)
Hrbek wasn’t an all star, but he was an intricate part of our greatest teams and getting rid of any one of those three is a risk I hope they don’t take.
there are probably only 2 relief pitchers better than what we have that may be traded, fuentes lh and street rh. the rockies are reported to be talking to several teams but are going to want a lot. the a’s will want a pile of prospects for street. cuddy is hurt nobody will take him until he is healthy. so if you want help i.e., street, atkins or beltre look at giving up a combo of span, guerra, robertson, mulvey, swarzak, revere, humber, manship, plouffe and harris. maybe boof has some value.
with liriano up that’s 5 starters that look solid for several yrs and trading a couple top pitching prospects imo is wise if it’s a good player in return.
Beltre is lousy without steroids we should get Garrett Atkins if we get anyone
If you’re like me Brasky, you are not expecting hardly any contribution from Cuddy the rest of the way. But other teams have scouts also, so why would anyone want him?
jimmy, never heard that rumor. but beltre has a gold glove, which is what twins strive, and i don’t THINK the juice helps with fielding. Canseco is pretty good proof. Remember the homer that bounced off his noggin?
“Why not Sexon and Beltre, both?…”
Because Sexson is awful. Truly horrible.
Here are my thoughts (and I haven’t read through the comments yet so I could repeat some stuff):
Beltre is a perfect fit for us. He’s the best defensive 3B in the league. He’s a right handed bat with pop and would be give some much needed protection to Morneau. He plays on a horrible team with no absolutely no protection in the lineup, he’s had a sore wrist all season, and he still has 16 HR’s. He’s a stand up ballplayer and knows how to play the game the right way. You’ll never see his name in the gossip column and he’s a good teammate. Not to mention he would be a mentor to Casilla and Gomez. Make this trade happen.
We have two guys right now whose value is as high as its ever been in Span and Buscher. Package them with a second tier pitching prospect and make it work. The M’s cleaned out their farm system for the Bedard trade and desperately need to restock. This could get done. Bill Smith has shown that he’s not Terry Ryan. Maybe that extends to making a deadline deal.
And Beltre has never been linked to steroids. He put up monster numbers in a contract year in a good hitters ball park. He went to a lousy team playing in a park that’s a pitcher’s heaven. Safeco is especially tough on righties. He’s on pace this year for 30+ homers so you know he can hit the long ball. Put him in the dome and his numbers will only get better.
I like Atkins too, but you have to remember that his numbers are inflated too. By Coors.
Without the 2004 season Beltre is around a 258 Lifetime hitter who avg’ about 15-18 HR’s a year. Garrett Atkins seems more like the real deal
CMath I simply said what it would take to get a Matt Holliday.
If so, we have our answer. No on Matt Holliday. I can’t believe the Rockies would trade him anyway. I could see potentially trading Atkins because they have Stewart. But you just don’t replace guys like Holliday, Pujols, Morneau and the like.
Even if the Twins could get Holliday, they couldn’t afford him long term. That’s just not the Twins way. Build from within and see if a useful piece is available at the break. We don’t acquire superstars, we develop them.
Good post gobbledygookguy.Out of the 2 relief pitchers I would go after Street.
I like him because he is much younger than Fuentes at 24 years old and he could fill Neshek’s roll well.He could be thought of as a setup man now and possibly Nathan’s successor in the future.
His weakness is a propensity to give up a higher than average homerun to lefties,but otherwise he is down right tough on hitters of both sides of the plate.
The Diamondbacks are looking for a left handed bat, but they don’t want to over spend. What could we get for Kubel?
The Lew Ford comparison to Denard Span is WAY off base. Ford was NEVER a top prospect like Span. It’s still early…but Span has more athletic ability and tools than Ford EVER had!!
Gardy wants another right hand bat? He must not have any faith in Monroe, don’t blame him for that. Why so anxious to get Beltre? Buscher and Harris should be fine, who else is out there to help the team?
Just sign Bonds.
Tongue in Cheek says:
July 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Just sign Bonds.
NO!!!
La Velle just made a great point on KFAN. There is absolutely no justification in talks of shipping Cuddy just because Span is playing well. He’s been playing semi-fulltime for what, a month? Let this guy play awhile, let him start seeing pitchers and teams 3-4 times, let him play in inclement weather, through slumps, etc.
Nothing against the guy. He’s been GREAT. Solid offensively, speedy, and can definitely play the outfield. But to talk about him replacing Cuddy, who can be a 100-RBI a year guy, just doesn’t make any sense.
Tongue in Cheek says:
July 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Just sign Bonds.
Could we give his jersey an asterik on the back. If so then yes
Holy cow folks, I think we all need to take a step back with the Denard Span love.
Don’t look at me. I’m just as puzzled as to when Span went from “FLUSH!” to the biggest thing to come out of the farm system since Santana.
I can’t figure out why people are so dead set on keeping him in a 3-deep OF when there’s a chance he could be used to bring in something this team has been needing for a LONG time (slugging 3B)
T I agree with your assessment 100 percent regarding Span. If a trade is possible to bring a slugging 3B then pull the trigger quick.
T makes the point about Span’s greatest importance to our team right now might be as value in a trade.
Arguments can be made but he could be right. Everyone has been talking about how Leyland walked Morneau 4 times in the last 3 games intentionally, and that’s not going to change. Why should they, when after Morneau is Kubel, a .260 hitter with mediocre power numbers? I like Kubel and his attitude, hustle, and work ethic, but he’s never turned out to be the guy coming up that everyone said he’d be. We need a more solid guy in the 5 or 6 spot to make managers really consider if they want to walk Morneau and face our next batter.
How bout a trade for Adam Dunn? Absolutely awefull avg but huge HR production. Maybe a DH.
some splits (this year):
Beltre against LHP: .351/.467/.554
Atkins away from Coors: .255/.291/.391
Day and night…
If the Twins are willing to eat all of Beltran’s contract (remainder of $12mil this year and $12 mil next year and they should because right now they are about $20-25 mil under budget), he will not be that expensive in terms of players. He would be a good season and a half rental, until Valencia is ready to play 3B in the bigs.
Some thoughts from the Seattle version of LENIII. The Beltre/Twins speculation is towards the end.
http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2008/07/trade_winds_blowing.html#more
“How bout a trade for Adam Dunn? Absolutely awefull avg but huge HR production. Maybe a DH.”
We don’t need another DH or another outfielder (I use that term loosely in regards to Dunn.) Not to mention he hits from the left side. We need a right handed bat.
I’ll give you one Kubel and one Monroe for one Dunn?
Wait…the Mariners want to trade Bedard?
Didn’t they just shell out a ton of money or some prospects or something to bring him in this offseason?
Ouch.
I wonder what the fans think of that Silva signing? I bet ol’ Carlos is LOVING it.
Dunn???
he is a lefty. The last thing this team needs is another lefty.
Dunn against lefties this year: .174/.371/.314
I wish I could be optimistic about getting a right handed 5 hole hitter, but its the same piece we have needed since ‘01.
In the past we got players like R. White, Bret Boone, Phil Nevin and Craig Monroe. These are more realistic examples of who we are willing to get.
I’m sure we will end up with more Matt Stairs than Matt Holliday.
@Patrick….
That Seattle article made me realize that A Rhodes would not be so terrible for the eighth inning, if the price is right!
The right handed 5-hole hitter will be Cuddyer - for better or worse.
Going after Holliday is unrealistic to rent him for a year but since Beltre has already past his prime it wouldnt take a whole lot to acquire him.
People need to relax on Span. He’s been a very plesant suprise, but he’s only been playing a few months. Anyone remember Lew Ford hitting .400? People need to relax.
I guess I’d be okay with Beltre as he’d be an upgrade at 3B, but I don’t think he’ll ever be worth that contract.
There is no one more one dimensional than Adam Dunn. Lots of $$$ for a one dimensional guy. Is this an upgrade on our roster from Kubel? I don’t think so.
Don’t trade Liriano, I don’t think you can get equal value back.
It looks like Nationals closer Jon Rausch is on the market and he would command considerably less than Street but more than Fuentes.
Nationals are looking for ML ready talent so dealing Cuddyer and a class A prospect would probably get it done.
“I wish I could be optimistic about getting a right handed 5 hole hitter, but its the same piece we have needed since ‘01.
In the past we got players like R. White, Bret Boone, Phil Nevin and Craig Monroe. These are more realistic examples of who we are willing to get.
I’m sure we will end up with more Matt Stairs than Matt Holliday.”
I agree and you’re most likely right. One thing we have to remember though is that we have Bill Smith calling the shots now and not Terry Ryan. Smith has already shown he’s willing to make deals and maybe that will extend to a deadline deal that actually addresses a need. That’s my one hope for something happening. Otherwise I’m resigned to the status quo.
And Rhodes is still a decent bullpen option. Not to mention he’d be cheap.
T-
Bedard has been a collossal failure in Seattle. He’s been fragile, unwilling to extend himself physically, and disagreeable towards the media and fanbase. He rarely goes past the sixth inning and usually asks to get pulled. He hasn’t been a bad pitcher. He was just a bad (read:horrible) pick-up. And Seattle fans are pretty disgusted with Silva. A couple of months ago he called out his teammates for underpreforming while at the same time he was putting up horrible numbers. He’s been an innings eater, but so has Livan Hernandez for us, and we all know how well that’s turned out.
“but since Beltre has already past his prime it wouldnt take a whole lot to acquire him.”
That’s not true.
“but since Beltre has already past his prime it wouldnt take a whole lot to acquire him.”
None of that is true.
Whoops. sorry for the double post.
Ive never seen so many dumb trade ideas. First off, Gomez isnt going anywhere. No way we would trade him. Cuddy isnt going anywhere, mainly because he’s injured and not healing, so why would a team take him before the deadline? Delmon Isnt going anywhere. What I can see them doing is packaging a prospect at AAA, like a Duensing or someone, and Brian Buscher for Beltre. Duensing has a lot of upside, and the Twins know they have arms to spare. Or if they don’t want Buscher, the Twins could offer Tolbert, as much as they wouldnt want to. But either way, I still dont see us trading for belte, mainly because hes making somethin like 12 Mill a year. Atkins is also out of the question.
Derek -
“There is no one more one dimensional than Adam Dunn. Lots of $$$ for a one dimensional guy.”
Sure there is. Craig Monroe is the first name that came to my head.
Adam Dunn does two things very well - hit for power and get on base. Considering those are the two biggest assets for a hitter, I’d say he is pretty valuable.
“Ive never seen so many dumb trade ideas.”
“What I can see them doing is packaging a prospect at AAA, like a Duensing or someone, and Brian Buscher for Beltre.”
Thanks for adding to the pile!
I like the idea of getting Beltre he has a good glove and his L/R splits are almost identical. I think the Twins could get him pretty cheap since it sounds like he want’s to go back to So Cal with jimmybee next year. Maybe they could trade Lamb and Boof for the rental.
haha Lamb and Boof? first of all Lamb wouldnt be playing on 25 of MLB clubs, he would have been cut by now. Boof has shown upside but his over 6 ERA in his 3rd big league season cant look good.
“Ive never seen so many dumb trade ideas.”
“What I can see them doing is packaging a prospect at AAA, like a Duensing or someone, and Brian Buscher for Beltre.”
Thanks for adding to the pile!
Hows it dumb? Say we get rid of Duensing. So what? We have pitching. Say we get rid of Buscher. Beltre would be here for 2 years. We have Tolbert. We have a guy at single A who is doing very well. Figure in 2 years he’ll have a shot. So why is it a bad trade?
Ovie…I’d take Matt Stairs…but the Twins won’t get him either.
“Maybe they could trade Lamb and Boof for the rental.”
QUESTION:
What can we give them that we absolutely do not want and get something valuable in return?
ANSWER:
Nothing!!
While he’s cheap to keep - how long are we willing to put up with the weak fielding, free-swinging, even a blind squirel finds a nut hitting, Jacque Jones-like Delmon Young?
I’d rather keep Cuddy and package Young. I know there’s promise, but there’s a glut in the outfield and we’ve seen Cuddy be more productive, consistant and coachable.
Does anyone really see Beltre being a better 5 hole hitter than Cuddyer when he comes back? I like the idea of a gold glove third baseman, but $12 million a year? Think maybe the Mariners might realize the Twins are in contention and not be content to take our junk for a Gold Glover?
Span and Buscher and a second tier pitching prospect would get it done. We have a crowded OF and Span’s value is as high as it’s going to get. We won’t need Buscher once we get Beltre, ditto on his value being high. We have plenty of pitching.
I don’t think Beltre is past his prime. He’s in his prime years. He had the career year in which he was MVP-caliber. And the rest of the time, he’s been like the G-Man except more consistent. His contract deflates his trade value somewhat, since there are fewer teams that can afford him next year. But he will likely require two good prospects plus a fringe player. If I had to guess, I’d say Buscher, Bonser and Humber would get it done.
12 Million is a number the Twins will not touch, however if the Twins do trade some younger minor league talent, even maybe 1 player too many, Seattle may be willing to eat some of that contract just to restock their depleated farm system.
I’m not gonna come up with names of players because it’s all a crap shoot. I doubt that anyone on the club right now will be gone except for maybe Span. Only because he’s playing out of his ass right now.
Anyway thanks for listening.
Beltre might be in his prime years, but he’s a .270 hitter who hits twenty or so homers a year and drives in 80-90 runs. Not bad but worth $12 million a year and giving up front line prospects for?..I don’t THINK so.
Seve,
Its a great trade for the Twins, but its terrible for Seattle so it can’t happen.
Buscher’s throwing is so bad that he could never replace Beltre at 3B in Seattle.
IMO Duensing is an average AAA pitcher (5-10, 4.28 ERA) who would not be worth the Beltre to Buscher drop at 3B for the Mariners.
“While he’s cheap to keep - how long are we willing to put up with the weak fielding, free-swinging, even a blind squirel finds a nut hitting, Jacque Jones-like Delmon Young?
I’d rather keep Cuddy and package Young. I know there’s promise, but there’s a glut in the outfield and we’ve seen Cuddy be more productive, consistant and coachable.”
Why is this a common opinion? Why can’t people understand that DY is 22 years old? That he has 4 times the talent that Cuddy has? The kid makes mistakes and he has a lot to learn, but he is a kid. And maybe it’s not that he’s uncoachable, maybe it’s the what the coaches are teaching. How often have you read a quote from Gardy saying how he wants Delmon swinging. How he likes his approach at the plate. You don’t think Vavra encourages his aggressiveness? Give the kid time to grow and stop the constant ripping on him. DY will be a fixture in our OF for a long time to come.
And to compare him to Jacque Jones is absurd.
did someone mention Rhodes?
Rhodes: 3.06 ERA, 1.358 WHIP, RHB: (33PA) .310/.375/.310, LHB (41PA).200/.300/.257
compared to:
Breslow: 1.46 ERA, 0.892 WHIP, RHB: (51PA) .186/.314/.209, LHB (35PA).242/.286/.333
Reyes: 2.77ERA, 1.154 WHIP, RHB (46PA) .325/.413/.500, LHB (57PA) .189/.232/.283
Rhodes is a situational lefty at this stage of his career (38 years old). Breslow would be a better choice for a set up man than him.
Beltre is a waste of money and we should wait to use one of
our own 3B. BC of ND where have u been
i think you include lamb as a way to reduce the money for beltre. beltre at 18m owed reduced by 5 we owe lamb makes it reasonable. and they can cut lamb or use him for the rest of the season.
span would be attractive for the padres (they need outfielders bad) if they want to trade kouzmanoff. jodie guret is their cf he’s been over the hill for a while. they have chase headley their top prospect who is a 3b.
i don’t see smith making any real moves. it would be a surprise.
I think the Twins could get him pretty cheap since it sounds like he want’s to go back to So Cal with jimmybee next year.
BC I can’t afford to go back home and buy a home so probably Florida which isn’t as nice.
I was on vacation last week man was that nice but it went tooooo fast. I have a buddy who lives in fla and he’s not liking it too much right now.
gobble thats exactly what i was thinkig when i mentioned Lamb and i think boof still has value as a starter just not on this team.
KC or Pittsburgh could probably use Boof as a SP. Trade Boof for Grabow who is a Left handed reliever. BC hope the vacation was enjoyable. Go anywhere fun out of state
No way anyone takes Lamb. Why would they? And the idea that they could then cut him is silly. Why trade for someone you’re just going to cut? What sense does that make? cmat seems to be the closest with Buscher, Boof and Humber, though I’m not sure Seattle would want Boof so maybe someone else there.
I also think the idea that they Twins won’t take on Beltre’s contract may not be correct. If they are inquiring about him, I would be willing to bet they’ve already decided they would take on his remaining salary depending on what players Seattle asks for.
What about Melvin Mora i wonder what the Orioles would want for him?
No jimmy i just had a lot of time saved up and was told to use it or lose it.
“i think you include lamb as a way to reduce the money for beltre”
More likely a way to kill the deal. Lamb is exactly the kind of deadweight player that’s killing the Mariners this year.
Maybe Houston would welcome Lamb back. I thought I heard interest from Phillie regarding Lamb a while back did anyone else hear that
Span is a slap hitter who happens to be red hot right now. If he can provide a 3rd baseman with some pop that this club has needed for years you do it. Gomez, Cuddy, Young, Kubel, and Monroe can fill the void. In a pinch, even though he is struggling, Pridie would be an option. Notice I said pinch. For a 6th option that isn’t horrible.
No way anyone takes Lamb. Why would they? And the idea that they could then cut him is silly. Why trade for someone you’re just going to cut? What sense does that make?
It makes sense when you have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and your team sucks. There’s no way the Twins are going to keep Lamb if they trade for Beltre and the Mariners would be saving money by taking him.
Who was the last decent RH 3B with power that the Twins had?
Good day friends. It’s fun when the Twins are looking to buy in July, instead of sell. I dont think there’s a snowballs chance they will trade for Beltre. He’s hurt, and Seattle would have to pay a %age of his 12 mill salary. Why would they do that? The Twins aren’t paying Beltre 12M, that much is certain. It would be cool if they could get Arthur Rhodes though. I still think Kazmanouf at 3B would be a good acquisition. Twins price too! 400K I believe. I think he’s had some mild back problems, so maybe they’re cool on him. He’d help, at a Twins salary….Fuentes of Colorado is the ideal 8th inning guy for the Twins…they’ll have to give up 2 prime prospects for him though. Tough call. But they really really need to shore up the bullpen. And keep 12 pitchers on the ML roster…….
jimmy it’s gotta be Gaetti
Beltre is exactly the type of player the Twins need. Good offense, gold glove defense, third baseman, right-handed hitter! The Twins should trade quantity for quality and get him.
As for relief pitching, the biggest problem is Bass. Waive Bass and bring up Korecky.
“There’s no way the Twins are going to keep Lamb if they trade for Beltre and the Mariners would be saving money by taking him.”
The Mariners would save even MORE money by rejecting Lamb AND the Twins and taking a better trade offer from someone else.
saam is right about Lamb being a deal-killer.
including lamb is the same as them paying part of beltre’s future contract. nobody knows if the twins will be willing to take on the entire contract (history says no) and then cut lamb to clear a spot for beltre. including lamb same as asking them to eat 5+ mill of beltre’s contract and then them dealing with lamb. it’s take lamb or pay part of beltre’s contract, maybe money isn’t a factor these days, ha ha funny!
I think we would be helping the Mariners out by taking on this Beltre trade. He is not worth the $$$.
I just don’t see a trade for Beltre. First of all, the Twins aren’t the only team in the hunt for the playoffs that’ll be looking. Second, even though they inquired, they might well be expecting Seattle to pick up a big piece of Beltre’s contract. Third, where do they have high quality major league ready prospects to give up? Outfield has the biggest traffic jam. But do you give up Cuddyer after just signing him long term? Kubel’s too young to be a full time DH but do you deal him or Young. Span or Gomez? You’ve got Liriano down at Rochester, but he’s not worth anything right now and can you afford to trade any of the other younger starters?
sid keep in mind that Beltre would only be a rental player therefore no one is going to give up a lot for him. I disagree with you about Lamb i think he can still be a good every day player if given the chance and he would fill the void Seattle needs for the rest of the season if they trade Beltre.
Sendric says: “I also think the idea that they Twins won’t take on Beltre’s contract may not be correct. If they are inquiring about him, I would be willing to bet they’ve already decided they would take on his remaining salary depending on what players Seattle asks for.”
Exactly. Does everyone who’s saying the Twins can’t afford him think that the Twins don’t know how much he makes? We wouldn’t be inquiring unless we were willing to either take on his contract or we were going to try and make the M’s eat some of it. We have money to spend, money that the team has said was going towards improving the team. We’re not as strapped for cash as we usually are. The biggest obstacle would be an acceptable package. If we can find 2 or 3 peices the M’s want, there’s no reason this deal can’t get done.
“sid keep in mind that Beltre would only be a rental player therefore no one is going to give up a lot for him.”
Not exactly a rental player since his contract runs through next year.
“including lamb is the same as them paying part of beltre’s future contract”
No it isn’t. Maybe the total $$ would be the same, but trading for Lamb and then cutting him would make it look like the Twins were calling the shots.
“You’ve got Liriano down at Rochester, but he’s not worth anything right now ”
I’d say he’s worth quite a bit, but there is no way they trade him.
“It makes sense when you have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and your team sucks. There’s no way the Twins are going to keep Lamb if they trade for Beltre and the Mariners would be saving money by taking him.”
Not really. If they take back a MLB 3B, it would be Buscher. They don’t have to trade Beltre, which means they don’t have to take on Lamb and his contract. The fact that the Twins won’t keep him after getting Beltre means nothing to the Mariners.
“keep in mind that Beltre would only be a rental player therefore no one is going to give up a lot for him”
Yes, but that’s a 1.5 year rental, not a 3-month rental, so the jackpot could be two playoff runs, rather than one playoff run. That increases Beltre’s trade value.
What would it take to get Casey Blake?
Hey LaVelle…
Thanks for taking my on-air phone call today (Questions re: Livan and Liriano) and for awarding me with movie passes. I appreciate it! And, keep up the good work! Go Twins!
(’Apologies for all the exclamation points…)
Hey LaVelle…
You should put sane, BC and I on the show one day and see what happens!!!
I agree…Give Richie Sexson a call. I can’t believe he’s washed up. Just was unmotivated on a losing team. It won’t cost us much to find out.
Repeat after me…
Liriano as the 8th inning set-up man.
It will limit his IPs for this season making sure his arm stays healthy in his first season back.
Next season you bring him into the rotation once you know his stuff is there.
Call it the Joba plan.
jimmy,
“You should put sane, BC and I on the show one day and see what happens!!!”
Sorry, my Vegas stand-up comedy act is strictly a monologue.
No partners, no animals, or NO SHOW!
“I agree…Give Richie Sexson a call. I can’t believe he’s washed up. Just was unmotivated on a losing team. It won’t cost us much to find out.”
Trust me, he’s washed up. He’s still got a little power but he won’t contribute. He’s a horrible ballplayer with a bad attitude. Not what this team needs. We’d be ripping on him in this blog within the week.
Just for conversation purposes, I’d like to hear why any of you would NOT want Barry Bonds in our lineup.
sane your back!! No hail this past weekend wheeew. My truck could not take anymore damage. sane what is your outlook on this Beltre madness
Just for conversation purposes, I’d like to hear why any of you would NOT want Barry Bonds in our lineup.
Dan he is a selfish player and a distraction
jimmy,
“You should put sane, BC and I on the show one day and see what happens!!!”
Sane would go nuts within 30 minutes and they would have to bleep out the rest of the show.
Just for conversation purposes, I’d like to hear why any of you would NOT want Barry Bonds in our lineup
Same reason I wouldn’t want Milton Bradley on my team
Big Helmet is a big baby he would poison the club house and frankly without his juice and his advancing age/combined with injuries would not be much of a factor if he is in the lineup then Kubel is on the bench how much of an upgrade is he(if he even is) over Jason ?
“Sane would go nuts within 30 minutes and they would have to bleep out the rest of the show.”
They would haul sane out on a stretcher yelling something about giant mosquitos and the Queen Mary.
OK I knew I’d see the argument that Bonds is selfish and a distraction. But he also brings a huge power threat and an on-base percentage around .500. So how do we balance out the distractions?
The management and coaching staff must be responsible and do their job. If they bring Bonds in, they discuss any potential distractions or issues, and Gardenhire enforces it and fines the hell out of Bonds if he does turn out to be a cancer. If everyone out there is too afraid of Bonds because of his lack of chemistry then it doesn’t say much for the managers because the clubhouse is theirs to control.
Just heard South Dakota’s very own Terry Francona announce that Carl Lee will start the All-Star Game.
Is he any good? I thought the Twins beat him quite handily last week.
(takes toungue out of cheek)
Dan this team has alot of young players that need quality character veteran players to mentor them.. I do agree that Gardy hasn’t always run the tightest ship - see Hunter and all his nonsense over the years - (attempting to punch Morneau and hitting PUNTO.. wait!!) (his non stop pimping of himself his last year with the club) ( his venom when his little buddies Jones and Hawkins were sent packing)
Dan the biggest problem with Bonds is his arrogance we all know he can play but the Twins definetly don’t need his attitude rubbing off on these young players.
Beltre might be willing to restructure his contract long-term.The question should be,is he a good solution long-term for a righty power hitter to play third?With our apparent abundance of pitching in the system,maybe a 4-1 would be doable.Shooter Hunt seems to be the hot flavor of the month!
Dan,
“Just for conversation purposes, I’d like to hear why any of you would NOT want Barry Bonds in our lineup.”
Because MLB FO’s have agreed not to sign Bonds until his legal issues have been resolved.
You didn’t read THAT anywhere?
And you won’t!
Fire Vavra and Gardy:
I haven’t run into a lot of guys with your thoughts; in fact most fans praise a lot of what Gardy does.
I, however, have long questioned much of what Gardy does at the job. I think he has unraveled a lot of what Tom Kelly worked so hard for. You hit the nail absolutely right on the head with Torii Hunter. Anyone who claims Bonds is a clubhouse cancer should also look at Hunter last year. He was way too interested in who he could play for next. Twins offered him $15 mil/year for the next 3 years and he turned it down. Right then I was glad to see him go, cause he doesn’t even put up the numbers of a $8-$9 million a year guy.
Hunter’s (and many others) Twins tenure saw him as a loose cannon at the plate, swinging at terrible pitchest time after time. It just seems like some of the discipline Tom Kelly instilled went out the window with Gardy. Swinging at bad pitches, showboating, fielding that has been getting worse…and then there’s the way he seemingly doesn’t know how to use a bullpen.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the Twins, I’d take them over any other team and their issues are minor compared to other teams, but I really don’t feel gardy has as much control over the players as good ol’ TK did.
Big Helmet should have been sent packing years ago he has no place in MLB and should not be recognized as the All Time HR Hitter - in my mind that is still Henry Aaron..
OOOPS!
What I REALLY meant is that “MLB FO’s have each independently (and seperately) decided not to sign Bonds until his legal issues have been resolved.
right on Mike. It would be cool if we could get him and Jason Bay, but it will not happen
And we now return you to your regularly scheduled discussions still in progress.
“What I REALLY meant is that “MLB FO’s have each independently (and seperately) decided not to sign Bonds until his legal issues have been resolved.”
Good thing you clarified that we wouldn’t want people to think there’s any kind of collusion going on.
Dan I want to hear your opinion on why the Twins would not want Milton Bradley
Bonds is available!
PATRICK:
I think Sexson might have a few left in him also, but we know what we got in Monroe, so I don’t see an upgrade there either.
“Dan I want to hear your opinion on why the Twins would not want Milton Bradley”
I never said the Twins wouldn’t want Milton Bradley.
Dan what would Milton Bradley bring to the Twins organazation if we went after him
When did I bring up Milton Bradley?
Dan you did not bring up Milton Bradley I did. How bout this comparison why don’t the Timberwolves try and get Dennnis Rodman to come out of retirement and play for them.
LOL
Jojo,
“Bonds is available!”
But he hasn’t received a single offer!
IMO, he must NOT be available.
Getting Milton Bradley would give us a Monopoly on over the hill hitters who don’t have a Clue so that is a Risk taking them for the Trivial Pursuit of the American League Pennant and would lead to nothing but Aggravation, although it would be more fun than a Barrel of Monkeys, but don’t get Ants In Your Pants it prolly won’t happen, Sorry.
You try and tell me what quality players don’t have any baggage. Manny Ramirez is about as trashy as they come, he has no respect for the game and thinks he’s God. Then you’ve got guys like A-Rod and Tony Romo, who really get a lot of undeserved attention from the media just from their private lives.
If any owner, GM, or manager is worth his paycheck he ought to be able to put a player in check. I don’t see why a team can’t sit down with Barry and his agent and go over the rules and expectations and actually have a manager enforce them. Barry wants to play. If given the chance and with a proper manager personality, he could help out a ballclub.
Mudcat,
I was going to call you out on Bradley being an “over the hill hitter” until your “theme” hit me between the eyes.
Very clever!
Any owner, GM, or manager worth his lofty paycheck ought to be able to put a player in check and let him know who’s boss.
If a team is interested in Barry they should sit down with him and his agent, go over rules and expectations as well as consequences, and then sign a contract if an agreement can be reached. Then the manager actually has to enforce it, not let a player walk all over them. Barry has indicated he wants to play so maybe with the right manager he could make an impact on a team.
Dan,
“If any owner, GM, or manager is worth his paycheck he ought to be able to put a player in check.”
Proof - Randy Moss
So what does everyone think about the Twins going to a 6 man rotation to try to save some of these young arms? I thought i heard something on the radio about Gardy considering it.
Dan Gardy has never been that type of Manager.. he is no TK Gardy lets his veteran player “police” the clubhouse and believe me “quiet as a church mouse” Mauer and Morneau are not going to be able to rein in Big Helmet’s circus!!
Mudcat I was just using Bradley as an example.
Sorry, error on my computer caused me to post that twice.
JIMMY BEE:
sorry, i misunderstood you. wrong Milton Bradley.
Milton Bradley and Monopoly, i like it!
Yet it would be fun to have DY and Milton Bradley in the same clubhouse. Put me down for $50 on Bradley
jimmy is that $50 in American or monopoly money?
Shoot, missed you again LEN. Discard Monroe, Lamb, Everett, first off. Add a quality 3B with some pop and spray to bat after Justin. Add another reliever who can hold up the pen until the best save man in the biz is called in (that would be Joe Nathan, All Star).
Mudcat,
You must have all those games in your toy box to have referenced their names so quickly.
sane: after much heated debate back in april you convinced me vavra wasn’t the cause of the poor production it was the players. (hope i have that right and wasn’t confused)
proof be told casilla, buscher and span come up a hit really well without time for vavra to do whatever it is he does and everyone except lamb and monroe start hitting like they can. now friday night dick b says vara needs to be given a lot of credit for getting the twins bats going, who do i believe? i think i’ll go with sane!
with that said i’d still like them to get a few power type guys when they draft instead of all these toolsie guys.
my new trade is span and boof for kouzmanoff.
SANE:
there’s nothing else to do ’til opening day.
gobble,
You have it right.
Vavra is totally responsible for nobody.
Vavra is partially responsible for those hitters who follow his teachings.
Vavra is NOT responsible for those hitters who ignore him.
Like all other coaches.
so how do we know who listens to VAVRA?
well said sane spoken like a true coach!
sane what would you suggest doing with gomez other than leaving him to spin around a few times each at bat?
It’s really hard to say because people in the Twins community praise Vavra as well as Rick Anderson-and most would agree Anderson has done a good job with a young pitching staff. So, as asked before, who do you believe? Could they be right about Andy but not Vavra?
how about Vavra is teaching them but the lesson is not worth the time???
FIRE VAVRA & GARDY!!!!, I now recall one of my other HUGE beefs with Gardy.
What manager in his right friggin mind would allow Carlos Gomez to keep bunting balls into himself, keep bunting for strike three, and keep bunting back to the pitcher?
The bunt gimmick lasted a few weeks, and he’s still occasionally good for one. More often than not, it turns out to be a waste of an at-bat.
Last Monday night on ESPN with the Twins vs. Red Sox, Orel Hershiser pointed out something about Gomez that should have embarrassed him as well as the entire coaching staff. He pointed out that Gomez consistantly showed bunt, then pulled his bat back to try and move the infielders, yet none of them budged, so really all he was doing was screwing up his own timing.
Quite embarrassing to see your favorite team exposed like that on national TV but it’s true. Gardenhire should’ve stepped in long ago and told Gomez he needs to forget the bunt and work on straight-up hit, but he continues to let him bunt away and waste crucial at-bats at the top of our order.
“so how do we know who listens to VAVRA?”
I think its the players who “situational hit” correctly. (ie., hit behind runner on 2nd, with no outs; hit hard up the middle with runner on 3rd, one out, etc.)
If young players do that, they have been coached. If veterans do it, they may have learned on-the-job.
And some “listen” but still don’t execute well.
The ones that don’t listen usually won’t admit it. It reveals too much about their character.
Dan,
thank god i was at that game and didn’t get to see the Twins exposed…. oh wait… it sucked being at that game and losing 1-0 with Bass coming in…never mind
think i am going to hit the July 26 game in Cleveland… who’s with me?
Shawn in Binghamton,
Nice to have a different perspective on that game…
So did you hear that Baker told Gardy he couldn’t go anymore? That took one of my agruments away, I was PISSED Baker didn’t come back out but apparantly he told Gardy he had nothing left, which is good because it saves his arm rather than trying to tough it out and blowing it open.
So being in the stands, and you knew Baker wasn’t coming out, what were your thoughts when the mighty number 60 (I think that’s Bass) comes out in a 0-0 game against an AL East powerhouse?
Dan,
“Gomez consistantly showed bunt, then pulled his bat back to try and move the infielders, yet none of them budged”
Maybe no one budged because the infielders were already playing in.
And thats because he has showed bunt and bunted often enough to keep them in.
Thats the whole idea.
Hershheiser is not my idea of an expert on offensive and defensive tactics.
I don’t like Ohio. I would rather see the Twins play out West.
“sane what would you suggest doing with gomez other than leaving him to spin around a few times each at bat?”
Bat him 9th until he bats like lead-off batters bat.
Then REWARD him by moving him up in the order.
“Hershheiser is not my idea of an expert on offensive and defensive tactics.”
Compared to all of us on this board I think Hershiser knows a thing or two about baseball.
when monroe hit the 3r dinger off the tigers couple weeks ago the tv guys were bragging how joe had fixed his stride (nothing worse than a broken stride) he was doing better. of course he’s 0-11 since that time and hitting .203!
i think maybe tony o is right, see ball hit ball, or swing real hard and screw yourself into the ground.
Dan,
When #60 came out some Sox fans asked me “Who is that guy?” That was about all i needed.
Shawn,
I’m really confused about the Bass thing. When he came up he was doing long relief in blowouts either way, but now we have him and Boof doing it. I realize that we don’t have anything to replace him with but I wish Gardy wouldn’t put him in any ballgames that have yet to be decided.
As this season goes on, Neshek’s injury is really proving to hit this club harder than anyone thought.
Dan,
“Compared to all of us on this board I think Hershiser knows a thing or two about baseball.”
Leaving myself out of the equation, I have coached with and gone to many clinics taught by better baseball coaches than Hersheiser. Its possible Hersheiser’s knowledge of pitching is superior to all of those coaches, (though I doubt ALL of them), I will go with their knowledge of tactics ahead of an ex-pitcher/ex-pitching coach.
I know what you’re saying Sane, but the original argument was the fact that Gomez kept showing bunt and pulling away and the fielders weren’t moving. What you suggested could very well be true, in that the were already playing in because of his bunt threat. Even if that was the case, why would he continue to show bunt and pull back if it won’t draw them in anymore? That’s where I agree with Hershiser, because the only thing he was doing was screwing up his own timing.
If the Twins are truly looking for a lefty masher, look no further than grabbing Richie Sexson. I don’t know why the Twins would go after Beltre with so much salary, when they can have Sexson for almost next to nothing. Hope whatever moves they make work out well for them.
Also, I’d like to invite you to check out our site, http://www.diehard101.com/phpfox and enjoy. It’s kind of a MySpace for sportsfans of all ages.
The Yankees are hot on Sexson….he may rather play there, not sure if a cut player can get more than the minimum, but if so, i am sure the Yanks would pay more.
Dan,
“why would he continue to show bunt and pull back if it won’t draw them in anymore?”
That would be Gomez’s mistake for not observing the corner IF’s depths.
He is a kid with a lot of noise roaring through his head.
My point is that the Twins’ coaches aren’t stupid. They are probably telling him to check the corner’s depth before the pitch, and he probably is just not doing it.
I just think they let Gomez go out there like a loose cannon and while it paid off initially, he’s struggled bigtime lately.
Some of his mistakes are boneheaded but are the result of going 100%. Those are more understandable because he’s trying to make plays, trying to score, trying to dive at the ball.
But his bunting woes at the plate are killing the team, especially when it becomes a wasted at-bat at the top of the order. If it happens once, it’s Gomez’s fault. If it happens after that, it’s Gardy’s fault for not corralling his young player and making things right.
maybe nicky can help gomez out with his bunting! he’s the glue that holds the team together, got things turned around after that awful 10 game winning streak. be a veteran leader teach gomez the correct way to bunt!
gobbledygookguy I’m with you on the importance of Punto. When he was out of the lineup Sat. and Sunday I was crushed. He plays so friggin hard but he also plays within himself, not doing anything stupid. I say if he can bat .250 or better, he more than makes up for it with his defense.
Quittin’time. Best time of the day!
I am puzzled by all this talk about Sexson. If we want him, we could just as well bring back Harmon. Result would be the same. Harmon at-bats would sell some tickets though. Sexson is not just over the hill, he slid down the steep side on a turbochared sled. Talk about a quick end to him. Wow. But what the hell, he got is $$.
Bletre: It’s not that the Twins cannot afford him…it’s that they won’t afford him. He might be a good fit, but they’ll never bring him in unless they get relief from his salary.
I hope they re-hire Wayne Krivsky in some role. Then they have a quality GM-in-the-wings should BS make another Garza-like trade.
“Then they have a quality GM-in-the-wings should BS make another Garza-like trade”
I hope BS makes another thirty Garza-like trades.
bartlett is the glue for the rays even when he’s on the dl like he is now (maybe that’s why the losing streak). rumors are the rays are looking for rf’r and at guzzie because they are in need of a ss that can hit.
Krivsky works for the Mets right now
“Krivsky works for the Mets right now”
Maybe Krivsky will trade us Johan for Humber, before he rejoins the Twins.
“Mudcat,
I was going to call you out on Bradley being an “over the hill hitter” until your “theme” hit me between the eyes.
Very clever!”
Me too. Nicely done, Mudcat.
put cuddyer at 1st every 3 days and put morneau as dh and u can put span in right and u can sit kubel/monroe’s asses out for a day since all they try to do is hit homers
and then you can platoon span with delmons sorry ass as well
“If the Twins are truly looking for a lefty masher, look no further than grabbing Richie Sexson. I don’t know why the Twins would go after Beltre with so much salary, when they can have Sexson for almost next to nothing. Hope whatever moves they make work out well for them.”
Because he’s horrible. I live in Seattle. I watched the futility that is Richie Sexson on a nightly basis. The guy’s bat speed and mechanics have fallen off the face of the earth and they’re not coming back. He’s done. Not only that, he’s got a bad attitude. He’s hovering around the Mendoza line, has a slugging percentage reminiscent of Punto ‘07, and has hit 2 HR since May yet he still complained and acted entitled when the M’s said they would platoon him.
Unlike Sexson, Beltre is talented.
So the Rays were in first because of the Garza/Bartlett acquisition?
I think Matt is 6-6 and Jason is on injured reserve.
Hell, the Twins got a BUNCH of guys like that! ! !
La Velle, been gone a few days but GREATLY ENJOYED listening to you on the radio today. Thank you for talking sports on a sports show. I have not read most of the blogs from the last few days but a thought I had was, I agree with you that a 8th inning shut down reliever is a top priority….. what about “Franchise”? Also would an offer like Buscher, Duensing, & Mulvey be enough to entice Seattle if we took on all of Beltre’s contract? Thanks.
no, coco. they want mauer and morneau.
oh! you wanted Lavelle’s opinion!
sorry!
I think many of you are over-estimating what it would take to get Beltre. He only has 1.5 years left on his deal, and it’s a fairly large contract. The M’s want to get rid of it. I think a package of Hughes, Bonser (he still has legit value) and a 3rd young pitcher would be enough.
We would have won the recent Boston series if Gardy would have walked Manny Ramirez. First game, we were ahead until manny came up with the game on the line. Gardy is a good manager and a great guy, but I was so friggin’ mad when he pitched to Ramirez. Sure enough, Manny drives in the winning run. Next night we are ahead again, and Manny comes up again with the game on the line. Gardy, incredibly, elects to pitch to him AGAIN ! Sure enough, Manny hits a 3-run shot to win it. I was so mad ! He should have learned the first game. Then we get totally blown out in the final game. SWEPT- I like Gardy but Someone please tell him to walk guys when he has to. Comment?
We could afford Beltre with the money we saved not signing Torri!Just to think,Shooter Hunt was a compensatory pick for Torri!A small or mid-size market team has to make hay with compensatory picks when they can’t resign their stars!
Morneau just won the HR Derby, folks!
DEVERY:
I was with you. Detroit’s manager Leyland learned. He walked Morneau in the first inning.
Beltre hits lefties, and he’ll probably hit better in the Dome than he has in Seattle. Also, if any of you have seen him play, you’ll have to agree that he’s a fantastic third baseman. That fits in with the Twins’ philosophy. He’s also a veteran, who’ll be good in the clubhouse. I think he’d be a great pickup for pretty cheap right now. Seattle’s in selling mode, and he makes too much money for them to want to keep him.
For the love of God, please do not trade Liriano. His velocity’s back into the mid-90s, and he could be a staff ace no later than this season.
wow some of these people and their trade evaluations…. espeically when it comes to Matt Holiday.
He plays in Colorodo folkes…. probably the best hitters ballpark in all of sports!!! And no teams don’t have to trade the world for him…. Colorodo can’t re-sign him, they don’t have the money and his contract expires after next year. So please stop treating him like he’s Babe Ruth
BUT THEY SHOULD NOT THINK ABOUT TRADING HUGHES! That guy might really help the team down the road.
Hi La velle,
Anyway you can post the Twins starting lineups early each day?
Thanks,
Andrea.
I agree Gardenhire should have walked Manny, but for the most part he does a good job.
I like a trade for Beltre. Quickly losing interest in Sexson. Beltre, in a good lineup, would be a better hitter than his Seattle numbers.
Why would anyone want Liriano to do anything other than start? Maybe someone will give us something for Livan when the time comes.
Belre is not a good enough hitter to help the twins at all.
The only change this team should make is to trade Livan for whatever they can get and bring Liriano up.
B-B-Boof has got to go- not because he’s bad. In fact almost the complete opposite… Huh? Oh. Right. Sorry. Yes- Sorry about that. First things first, CONGRADULATIONS TO JASON MORNO ON WINNING THE 2008 HOME RUN DERBY Presented by State Farm. O.K. Got that out of the way, back to Boof. He needs to be traded:
A. He is no longer needed here.
B. He could thrive in a fresh-start situation *coughlohsecough*
C. He is no longer needed here.
D. He could be Pretty Good trade bait.
E. He is no longer needed here.
F. Teams are ALWAYS DESPERATE for starting pitching.
G. He is no longer needed here.
H. We could get some Actual talent in return for him.
I. He is no longer needed here.
J. Twins are never going to put him back in the rotation and the bullpen (needs someone, but not him) is fine without him.
K. He is no longer needed here.
Lamb (and Everett?) should just be released. Dangel them out there, but ask yourself: would you bite? After no one does, just release them. Someone said earlier that they were a good idea. I agree- about Lamb anyway. It was a good idea, and signing…It just didn’t work out.
ATTENTION PEOPLE OF ALL VARIETIES, COLORS, AND DIFFERENT LEVELS OF WEIRDNESS-GET THIS THROUGH YOUR HEADS!!! CUDDYER WILL NOT(!!!) BE TRADED BEFORE THE DEADLINE!!!! They just signed him to a HUGE (for the Twins at least) contract. I repeat: He WILL NOT be traded before the deadline.
(I hold myself Completely Responsible for the comments above, and if need be (by some miracle), will admit that I was wrong and stand corrected if he is in fact traded. (Don’t count on it).
A word on Beltre- wasn’t it Jim Edmunds (I hope I got it right) who just completely bombed in San Diego, got traded (or released), went to the Cubs, and just Exploded out of nowhere? A fresh start (on a CONTENDING team) could energize Beltre. No guarentees, just throwing it out there.
Lefty or Righty- Adam Dunn IS(!!!!!) the best power hitter available. (For the right price of course).
A trade MIGHT be necessary to make the playoffs. It WILL be necessary to win in the playoffs.
Livan…I like. Not great, by really any standard (just wanted to make that clear). If you can trade/package him for something good, do it. Otherwise, keep him. Don’t trade him just to trade him/for Very Low level prospects.
Sorryforthelongwindedpostbye.
Just HAD to add, before anyone goes and calls me stupid, yes I DO KNOW I said Jason Morno, so don’t complain about that…
Dustin F,
“Matt Holiday….
And no teams don’t have to trade the world for him….
But, as with Beltre, you must offer more in a trade package than the other teams who are potential trade partners, or you won’t get him.
A good trade package for Beltre:
OF Span
3b Buscher or Macri or Lamb
C Jose Morales
minor league pitcher/ and or Boof
another could be
Span
Lamb
Perkins
I would not trade the following players for Beltre:
Liriano
Perkins
Slowey
Baker
Blackburn
Span
Gomez
Young
Kubel
Casilla
If they can package Buscher and a couple of arms for him, I would be in favor of a trade. But I don’t think you send players who will be key contributors in 2010, after Beltre is gone.
Two things:
We should be talking about trading for a legit SS before a 3B. Harris does not have the D the Twins demand, and platooning at 3B with Buscher/Punto once Cuddyer is healthy will work out. Maybe a guy like Greene from the Padres or the like.
Second, how would the Lester/Crisp/lowrie trade look about now? Pretty good I would say. We can’t look in the past
Lets get one bullpen guy and let the boys play!
I was wondering when someone would bring up Punto in a trade package. At least it is not as bad as last year when everybody wanted him out of here. Give it up, guys. Punto is worth keeping as a utility guy because he has one of the best gloves in the league, he is fast with range and he is hitting a lot better this year. He is a keeper.
If Lamb is cut, do the Twins pay him for 2009 or just the remainder of this season?
coyote
Punto isn’t too valuable to be traded for a player that would improve the team.
Unless there’s an injury, we won’t see Liriano until September. He’ll take over for Livan in the rotation next year.
If he’s cut, the Twins are on the hook for the entire contract.
How are Beltre #s with RISP?
Beltre is only hitting .239 with RISP with 21 walks and 21 SO.
However a very interesting stat is that he hits .146 with RISP at home and .341 away with RISP. Maybe he’s not a big fan of playing in Seattle
The Midseason Twins Awards are given out:
http://media.myfoxtwincities.com/livestream/webcast/archive.htm
Who do you think should win in:
Biggest Surprise
Team MVP
PLayer that makes you want to pull your hair out
Best Play
Saam - I agree that he is not too valuable to trade for a player that would help the team. I just think he is underrated. I also think Nathan can pitch in the 8th inning - not just the 9th.
All this trade speculation has been fun.One thing for sure is that we have to find someone in the 5 hole to cover Justin.What the Tigers did by walking Justin with first base open will be repeated by all the teams.He has had problems being patience at the plate.This problem will only be magnified if they giving free passes!
“we have to find someone in the 5 hole to cover Justin.”
If no trades are made, the only answers are a healthy Cuddyer or a hot Kubel or a hot Delmon.
Sane Says:
“But, as with Beltre, you must offer more in a trade package than the other teams who are potential trade partners, or you won’t get him.:
What other trade partners? No one is going to want his contract this time of year except teams that are in contention. Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Tigers are all good at 3B. AL West teams aren’t going to trade with each other. Phillies Don’t need the offense, Marlins don’t have the money. Brewers and Cubs just traded away a bunch of prospects. St. Louis might be interested… i’m not sure.. and who knows what the NL west… which teams are buyers and which teams are sellers? who knows…. so what i’m saying is there isn’t much other trade partners and they might jsut want to get rid of his contract… it might not take Liriano and Delmon Young and Micheal Cuddyer and Luke Hughes (all of whom I would not trade to Seattle)
Dustin F says, “What other trade partners?”
The Los Angeles teams mainly. The Angels and the Dodgers are both said to be in the mix, especially the Angels, who do need a 3rd baseman and who are willing to spend the money.
I wish other teams listened to the offers put out by the people on these boards the Twins would go 162-0. When you talk about what the Twins need to give up for Beltre it’s not current 40 man roster players unless someone is a throw in. You would be looking at Joe Benson, Jeff Manship, Ben Revere, Tyler Robertson, Kevin Mulvey, Luke Hughes, Anthony Slama, Chris Parmelee as guys Seattle would be intersted in.
Seattle doesn’t want Crappy Denard Span as the centerpiece to any deal. They might want Liriano, Perkins, Slowey, Baker or Blackburn but losing those guys hurts the team more than getting Beltre.
A fair trade would be Luke Hughes, Tyler Robertson and Bonser/Span/Pridie throw in.
Why would anybody want Span or Buscher for a quality player?
Lets see oh okay Bill Smith I’ll take Lamb his salary and his zero production and lifetime triple AAA players like Bonser, Span and Buscher for Beltre. JUST WHAT I WANTED! Glad I could make your team better. What am I Kevin McHale here?
Here is the deal we could get for Denard Span. We could trade him to Cleveland for Jason Tyner. Or maybe to whatever Japan team that has Lew Ford. But Lew is probably making too much in Japan for the Twins to afford him.
I like how people also think we can get Holiday. YEAH RIGHT! First off he is unsignable for the Twins. Lets put that out there first. And then we don’t have what it takes to get him that’s 2nd.
I’d trade Kansas City a top prospect and a B grade prospect for Ron Mahay and if they want Span I’d throw him in. He could team with Guerrier & Crain for the 7 & 8th innings.
And people that are trying to dump vets aren’t going to want to take Cuddyer and the 7 million a year through 2010 on his contract. Hmmm lets see i’m trying to get prospects for vets but no I’ll take Cuddyer as the centerpiece to a deal that makes sense… BRUTAL!
Patrick…. how likely are two AL west teams to trade with each other? Not very likely.. because even though Seattle won’t really win the division this year… but they could bounce back next year.
As for the Dodgers….they could be in contention, however, they don’t know if they are buyers or sellers right now. They’ll probably just stand pat more likely then anything
Dustin F,
In THAT division, the Dodgers are in the race and are buyers with all the youngsters and prospects they have as trade bait.
O and Sean thank goodness u’re not a GM. U have no idea how highly regarded prospects are espeically to teams that might be looking to dump contracts. Look at what the A’s got back for Harden…
Hughes, Liriano, Cassilla, and the 4 young starters currently on the roster should all be untouchable.
Yeah Sane they might win the Division… but then what? They would be the worst team in the playoffs and would probalby be swept out of the first round… even with Beltre
“Yeah Sane they might win the Division… but then what? They would be the worst team in the playoffs and would probalby be swept out of the first round… even with Beltre”
You mean like the Rockies and D-Backs last year? and the World Champion Cardinals before that? Or the 1987 Twins?
The Playoffs are not played on paper.
Its baseball!
Get in the Playoffs and then shit happens!
I think the Twins could get Beltre (and a pitching prospect) for Hernandez, Kubel and Buscher.
Yeah i didn’t say they would at all be willing to do it. but they also have to consider the future and getting to the playoffs next year and the year after… which their prospects are going to help them do if they stand pat. They have to make that decision… try for it this year or wait to the future. I don’t think they have much chance of being world series or if NL champions, but they might decide differently. But even then… they are the only team that I can think of that would even be willing to try to compete for Beltre and his contract right now. So if they are the only team, then the Twins don’t even have to consider trading their whole farm system to Seattle. Some of these trade offers are WAY over paying for Beltre.
“I think the Twins could get Beltre (and a pitching prospect) for Hernandez, Kubel and Buscher.”
If Beltre is available, it would be for prospects, NOT salaried veterans.
The only reason he is available at all is to dump salary.
“Twins don’t even have to consider trading their whole farm system to Seattle”
No one said they did. What we are saying is that the M’s don’t want the veteran contracts that the Twins don’t want to pay.
Dustin F - They got 4 players back for a guy who has been injured for the last two years and could easily be injured again. Instead of looking at Harden like at the Haren deal. The A’s got BANK back. Dana Eveland and Greg Smith are solid starters and Anderson looks good as well plus they got two other players.
Beltre lies somewhere in the middle between Haren and Harden. And here is some news for you as well. Luke Hughes isn’t that highly regarded. His fielding is poor and he isn’t major league ready yet. Tyler Robertson is somewhat regarded and is pitcing well in A ball. You get two quality prospects and Span for a solid 3B for 1.5 years. The Mariners aren’t going to take less than at least two decent prospects. The Twins dont have any TOP prospects unless you count Liriano and maybe D. Guerra.
That’s just what it’s going to take period. You have to give up prospects for what the Twins need. Everybody has guys like Macri, Buscher, Span, Pridie, McDonald and Morales. They are either throw in’s for a trade or they aren’t traded. If an organization is going to take a weak prospect it’s going to be in AA or A ball because they still might have some upside. That’s the usual player to be named later. But to get Atkins, Beltre, Fuentes etc its going to take solid prospects.
What about going after Casey Blake now that the Indians are out of it? I believe he is a righthanded hitter. I doubt Livian will be traded, too much playoff experience.
Brian Buscher actually reminds me a little of Casey Blake, when given a chance he just might take off. It’s clear to me though, that the Twins need some protection for Morneau in there lineup. I hope they start working on trades now and not July 30 when certain players value may go up and more teams bidding. Message to Bill Smith: Be Proactive!
Bonds is being offered for 500K. I think it would be worth the gamble. If he is a pain in the ass and hurts the team, then cut him and eat the contract. I think he would be a major difference maker and solidify their line up as one of the best in baseball.
$390,000 not $500,000
For those of you who thought about trading for Sexton, it’s too late:
“Slugger Richie Sexson was finally released Thursday by the Mariners after a slump that lasted for most of two seasons and made him a target of constant booing from frustrated Seattle fans.
The Mariners would have loved to have been able to trade Sexson, but his $14 million salary this season made that nearly impossible. So now Seattle is eating the rest of that money — $6,120,219 Sexson is owed from Friday through the end of the season — in what may be the first of multiple moves to rid the last-place team of underperforming veteran players.”
So we could pick him up for next to nothing . . . but over whom would he be an improvement? The team looks good right now, and we shouldn’t trade guys who have helped us get to where we are. I think Seattle will be looking to dump Beltre for prospects, so we don’t have to talk about sending current major leaguers to them as part of a trade. I think the Twins are at the right place and the right time to trade for Beltre.
we are good on the outfield
cuddyer,gomez/span,young,monroe,kubel can all play outfield
brendan harris/nick punto at shortstop
casilla at second
moreneau at first
we need to release mike lamb and adam everette goes to rodchester because when he does come back from his injury we have harris and punto at short
we trade boof bonser, jason pride,kevin mulvey or humber and a AA prospect to the mariners and get adrian beltre.
beltre at third and bushcer as a backup
monroe and kubel as a dh
mauer as a catcher
closer: nathan 1.13 era 27 sv’s 29 opp.
set-up: breslow 2.18 era
set-up 2: 2.77 era
other relievers:
glen perkins
jesse crain
brian bass
matt gurrier
starting pitchers
fransisco liriano 7-2 3.56 era in minors
scott baker 6-2 3.47 era 68 k’s
kevin slowey 6-6 4.27 era
nick blackburn 7-5 3.65 era
livan hernandez 9-6 5.44 era
Beltre COULD be a very nice acquisition, as I mentioned earlier- being on a contending team and all that- but people on this board are taking it too far. You guys are talking like Beltre is the savior the Twins NEED to compete. His numbers are good- but NOT THAT good. He’d look good in a Twins uniform (lord knows how many times I’ve said that phrase), and c/sh/would be an upgrade offensivly, but I’m not convinced that he’s necessarly the god-send that the Twins need.
To clarify, I’d like to get him, but I wouldn’t give up major prospects for him. I wouldn’t aquire him over every other player. Texiera(?) and Dunn (Yes, I know he’s a lefty) would be before Beltre. I sure hope, in the end, that the Twins do Something.
Beltre COULD be a very nice acquisition, as I mentioned earlier- being on a contending team and all that- but people on this board are taking it too far. You guys are talking like Beltre is the savior the Twins NEED to compete. His numbers are good- but NOT THAT good. He’d look good in a Twins uniform (lord knows how many times I’ve said that phrase), and c/sh/would be an upgrade offensivly, but I’m not convinced that he’s necessarly the god-send that the Twins need.
To clarify, I’d like to get him, but I wouldn’t give up major prospects for him. I wouldn’t aquire him over every other player. Texiera(?) and Dunn (Yes, I know he’s a lefty) would be before Beltre. I sure hope, in the end, that the Twins do Something.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/mariners-rumors.html
Beltre news near the bottom…
Remember the advice from the old sage Benjamin Franklin, “Don’t fix it if ain’t broken?” While we need another proven hard throwing reliever, this team scores runs, has starting pitching, and a great closer. We are really just one piece shy. Think about it, if we have that good stopper out of the pen (and decide to walk Manny), we probably take 2 of 3 from the Bosox and we still took 3 of 4 from the Tigers. Two of the top teams in the AL.
Pretty amazing for a team was not even supposed to be contending. If we are really in the hunt in 2 weeks then we nab someone, but maybe Kouzmanoff is a better choice or maybe it is Beltre. Whoever it is may not be the answer for a young untested team to make a serious post-season run. Let’s focus on the future.
I’m not sure the Twins absolutely have to do anything by the deadline. We have Korecky and Liriano at AAA ready to help out the bullpen and rotation (I think Liriano will stay down until someone gets hurt).
We have a crowded infield and outfield that will get downright over populated once players start coming back.
As nice as it would be to have Beltre’s right handed bat in the line up, I have seen no signs that the Mariners are even willing to give him up.
My biggest concern is not what we might need or could get, but what we would have to give up to get it. I’ve always said that, more often than not, the best trades are the ones that don’t happen.
I’m also a bit wary that the Twins would announce their interest in Beltre. That strikes me as such a non-Twins thing to do. It seems to me that most of their trades and transactions seem to come out of nowhere and are announced after the fact.
Are they seriously looking to trade for Beltre? Are they just trying to appease the fans by going throw some half-hearted motions of a trade? Are they announcing their willingness to consider a trade to all of baseball hoping somebody will come forward with something worth while?
I’ve got to admit, I wouldn’t be too upset if they didn’t do anything and stayed with the current line up.
I could also see them making some off the wall trade for a prospect right at the deadline too.
We’ll have to wait and see.
“We have a crowded infield and outfield that will get downright over populated once players start coming back.”
Just one reason why the Twins should make a trade, right?
For the Twins to get Beltre I think they would have to give up this: Buscher
MLB ready 3b to replace Beltre, P Brian
Duesing,P Yohan Pino or someone similar from AA and AA 1b Brock Peterson because the Mariners have no 1b man right now. We would have to give up alot but if you want a qaulity player that’s what it will take and the Mariners have to try to recoupe some players from the bad deal they made with Baltimore
“Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken,” “we don’t need to make any moves.” You are both right if you are content with possibly making the playoffs and then losing in the first round. When the teams around you already have more talent and are not scared to make moves to go all the way, not just first round, then you have to make moves to compete. We have all gotten too comfortable with managment not making moves and spending money.
Why is everyone so sure a Beltre deal would only be for this year and next? Corner fielders have a pretty good shelf-life. If he produces, and is still a good defender, why not try to sign him longer-term? The guy has pop in his bat, and if he is as good on defense as is made out, that is a plus-player if I have ever seen one. The Twins need right-handed hitters to put in the order to afford some protection to Justin.
If the Twins put together a trade package to get him, I find it likely that they don’t do it as a rent-a-player, they are looking more longterm.
They have done it in the past. Reed and Stewart both come to mind.
Personally, if Beltre is going to be traded, I really hope it is to the Twins.
Trade package that makes sense to me,
Harris / Lamb (probably only if we pick up some of the tab)
Bonser
Cali/ Barrett
Harris is probably without a spot on the Twins if the trade happens, so he would be the best pick in my mind, I just don’t think that Lamb has enough value to be considered tradeable. He has more value coming off the bench in my mind.
I think that Bonser needs a change, he’s probably finished as a Twins starter, and his stuff is really good, but he doesn’t seem to be able to carry it into the game with him. In a pitchers park, man, he could really benefit.
Of the AAA arms, Cali/ Barrett are both solid relievers, and actually, I am surprised that Cali hasn’t been given another shot to prove that he can’t get it done, since I liked his stuff when he was up last time.
Overall, I think that might be a bit high in talent for basically a rent-a-player, but honestly, most of that talent is just interchangeable parts with people we already have coming thru the system anyway.
If we can lock up our third-baseman for the next 3 or 4 years, it is probably worth much more than that anyway.
Me Too, the Twins are not going to get Beltre for Harris and a bunch of Garbage, The Mariners need young talent after the Bedard trade and Beltre has another year on his contract so he is not a rental and they do not need to trade him so they will not give him away.
David, it all appears to hinge on whether Seattle is doing a salary purge or not. If they are looking to unload salary, it usually means steep discounts on talent. If they are looking to just sell, well, that is different.
If they are looking to set up for next year, and not at cutting salary this year, then yes, Beltre would be extremely expensive.
Guess we will all find out soon.
Instead of wasting money on Beltre, the Twins should “lock up” Punto to a multi-year deal.
The Twins have several players, who are as good as, or better than, Beltre.
Shooter Hunt is blowing the doors off the Appy League.
Tonight: 12K 0BB in 6 inninngs.
So far: 28K 2BB in 14 innings
Thats 2K’s per inning with a 0.64 ERA.
And a 14/1 K/BB ratio.
