Twins-Royals: Cuddyer has broken bone in his left foot
Posted on August 8th, 2008 – 5:51 PMBy La Velle
Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer, on a rehab stint at Class AAA Rochester, was hit in the left foot with a line drive during tonight’s game, suffering a fractured second metatarsal bone
He will remain in Rochester tomorrow before returning to the Twin Cities for further evaluation.
Here’s how it was explained to me in an e-mail from Rochester beat writer Jim Mandelaro of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:
A freak play in the second inning Friday night sidelined Red Wings outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who was playing his fourth game of a rehab stint from the Minnesota Twins.
Cuddyer drew a walk from Indianapolis pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and was leaning off first base when Garrett Jones lined a hard shot off Cuddyer.
The play was ruled a single for Jones and runner’s interference charged to Cuddyer, resulting in an out.
More importantly, it forced Cuddyer to leave the game with a bruised left foot.
Of course, there will be more on this later….
Twins infielder Alexi Casilla received good news on Friday when he was examined by hand specialist Dr. Tom Varecka. His torn right thumb ligament has improved enough to to believe he can return in a couple weeks or so.
He will wear a splint on his right thumb for another week, then resume baseball activities. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he doesn’t expect Casilla to have to go on a minor league rehab assignment. If that’s the case, and Casilla only needs a few days of work, he should be ready to go by the time the Twins begin their convention road trip on Aug. 21.
It’s huge news for the Twins, who were worried Casilla was done for the season.
Craig Monroe has cleared waivers and has been released by the club.
Michael Cuddyer tonight is scheduled to play in his fourth game for Class AAA Rochester. He’s still on track to return to the club in time for Monday’s series opener against the Yankees.
Brendan Harris is the lineup because he’s been swinging a hot bat.
Funny moment in the clubhouse before the game. The first lineup card had Young at DH and Kubel in left, which was a mistake. Gardenhire walked out of his office to tell the players about the mistake.
Mike Lamb and Adam Everett both pretended to be relieved that Kubel wasn’t playing in the field. “Everyone can calm down, now,” Lamb said loudly. “Kubel is DH-ing.”
Lineups
Twins (63-51): 1. Denard Span, RF. 2. Nick Punto, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Jason Kubel, DH. 6. Delmon Young, LF. 7. Brendan Harris, 3B. 8. Adam Everett, SS. 9. Carlos Gomez, CF. Pitching: Kevin Slowey.
Royals (53-62): 1. Mike Aviles, SS. 2. Mark Teahen, RF. 3. David DeJesus, CF. 4. Jose Guillen, LF.5. Billy Butler, DH. 6. Alex Gordon, 3B.7. Miguel Olivo, C. 8. Ross Gload, 1B. 9. Esteban German, 2B. Pitching: Kyle Davies.
236 Responses to "Twins-Royals: Cuddyer has broken bone in his left foot"
Commence bitching about Everett being in the line-up against a righty…
La Velle-thanks for the update on Casilla…
Why no Buscher? I like Everett’s D and all but I’d rather see Buscher in there vs. a righty
La Velle, how come the Twins didn’t claim Bradford from the O’s? Are they eventually going to make a waiver deal for a reliever?
Josh,
No crap, I am pissed they didn’t go after him.
Adam Everett can go to hell
Ken Slowey?
I looked into the Bradford situation and I sense that the Twins FO felt he wasn’t a big enough upgrade.
My opinion is that he would have been. Maybe not a lock for an eighth-inning pitcher, but I would have found a spot for him on my staff.
I was told the Twins are still looking. If they think they can do better than Bradford, cool. Just prove it.
Ken is his name when they play the Royals, k?
La Velle-
Have you heard other names mentioned that would be an upgrade over Bradford (and names that the Twins would actually go after)?
“everyone can relax now, Lamb is BENCH-ing”
What about Kip Wells or Matt Herges from the Rockies? Sounds like one of them will be DFA’d to make room for Livo.
Huston Street cleared waivers. CMON, do something un-Twins like for once and go out and get somebody worthwhile. Please, please, PLEASE!
Like we want the guy who gets DFA’ed for Hernandez. C’mon.
Street didn’t clear waivers. He was reportedly claimed by either Seattle or Cleveland.
If nothing else, why not promote Daigle and dump Bass or Bonser?
I would complain if everett was in against anything. he has no business batting in a major league game. he has consistantly proved this throughout his career. his solid if unspectacular glovework does little to make up for his .245 career average and .297 OBP.
Street did not clear waivers
Good news on Casilla… on a unrelated note, are the Vikings on cable tonight?
go to the vikings page for that easily obtained info, pinhead.
Why would the Indians or the Marineers want street?… that seems to be quite idiotic if you ask me
You’ve got to be kidding!,
Sir, you are dead wrong. Everett is by definition spectacular at SS defensively. He has Wizard-esque range. He gets to more balls than anybody. However, you can make the argument that his defense might not make up for his offense, or lack there of.
Pinhead? Ouch that is pretty harsh. That is pretty funny though that you changed your name to “This is a baseball blog”
Damn! I missed the beginning of the bitch fest.
Regards,
Why isn’t Harris batting 2nd? I thought he had the hot bat, just not hot enough to get LNP out of the 2 spot.
I’ll concede the point, Okobojicat. He may be spectacular in the field, however, due to his appropriately limited playing time, I haven’t seen much of it.
It looks like Gardenhire has completely given up on his lefty-right-lefty philosophy! That batting order is 5 lefties followed by 4 righties. I think Brian Buscher should be in there at third against the right handed pitcher.
How many lefties does KC have in the pen. Maybe thats part of it.
Maybe not a lock for an eighth-inning pitcher…
Then they were right to pass on him. The Twins need a guy for the 8th inning. Not another reliever that can just go out and toss innings.
The availability of bullpen arms in August would be slim and passing on Bradford was inane:
a. Given that NL teams (esp. the Mets) are also looking for bullpen help, the Twins do not have a chance to claim any worthy pitcher from a NL team
b. Given that Cleveland and KC will not let the Twins get a pitcher they might claim from them, the only teams that the Twins might get some help from are Toronto, Baltimore, Oakland and Seattle.
c. from those teams, Scott Downs, Huston Street and Jason Frasor, might be upgrades over what the Twins have in the majors and minors and I am not sure that they will not be claimed by teams bellow the Twins.
bad bad move
As usual, T chimes in with the inane.
“It’s not a lockdown, 100 percent sure thing that Bradford would help late in a game, therefore stick with Bass, who we KNOW can’t be trusted to help late in a game.”
No no you right they just put Street through waivers, but they are apparently talking to teams about him. At any rate, Huston would make a mighty fine set up guy….
Bradford obviously is in the Cy Young running…comment from Baltimore “we can use the dough”. A classical statement of sadness on losing the FUTURE of the club.
Regards,
Then they were right to pass on him. The Twins need a guy for the 8th inning. Not another reliever that can just go out and toss innings.
Bradford as been as or more effective than both Guerrier and Crain throughout his career, but obviously he’s just another AAA-inning-tosser like Bass.
Who needs pitching help when you got Boof?
the Dragon,
no Bradford is not in the Cy Young running, but he has 2.45 ERA 1.190 WHIP 7 BB 13 K and given up only 2 HRs in 40.3 innings.
please give me the name of a Twins’ reliever not named Nathan who can match this
Why was Cuddyer removed from Rochester’s game in the 2nd inning after BB’ing in the 1st?
please give me the name of a Twins’ reliever not named Nathan who can match this
Duh, Neshek. Errr, nevermind.
Oooh, oooh, I got it, Rincon! Uhhhh, not 2004 anymore.
Setup-man Latroy Hawkins? Nope, not him either.
It’s not Brian Bass is it?
Bradford is water under the bridge. i’m all for speculation and bitching of all kinds, but i’m sick of hearing about bradford. Is it difficult to get a reliever in august? yes. Impossible? No. my guess is that the Twins will have 1 or 2 more chances to pick someone up. There is a difference, however, between having a chance to pick someone up, and willingness to do so.
Thrylos, i don’t mean to piss in your cornflakes, but breslow’s numbers are almost the same, just with 12 fewer innings pitched.
no problem about my cornflakes 
the only difference is that Bradford’s numbers are in 75% medium and high leverage situations where Breslow’s in 93% low leverage situations…
It appears Cuddyer has been pulled from the game in Rochester after only one at bat. Anyone know why?
Page me Breslow becomes right-handed, has thrown 500 of those innings, and holds righties to a sub-600 OPS.
i can dig it. good point. though whether or not there are ever high pressure situations when one is pitching for the baltimore orioles is up for debate.
Cuddyer was hit by Garett Jones’ single when he was on base. No news about the severity of the injury
Stupid Garret Jones. You would think that with his batting average, you would run little risk of being hit by a batted ball.
I stand by my feeling…
SEND GOMEZ DOWN!
Gomez=overmatched. No wonder they wanted to get to him. Ugh. Gone on 3 pitches!
I agree. Gomez needs a breather at Rochester. He will also have time to work on his dance moves to prepare for his second career as a Chris Brown impersonator.
Nora, it was 4 pitches.
Nora, it was 4 pitches.
Not even Carlos swings at pitches a foot over his head.
Cuddyer has a bruised foot.
Either way, too few pitchs.
Gomez strikes out, send him down
Span strikes out, …
ok
let’s say that Gomez goes down
Who is called up?
Cuddy has a cloud following him around.
Is Cuddyer ever healthy?? End of 06-was that the last time??
thrylos98,
Span looked at his strike 3 right down the middle, whereas, Gomez swung at a breaking pitch out of the zone. Only Gomez is to be chastised though.
Too bad Span wasn’t batting ninth..we’d be ahead! LOL
Where’s Chief to remind all you small ball guys that is why you don’t bunt Punto in the 2nd inning.
off topic, but the olympic opening ceremony is the goofiest thing i’ve ever seen. The announcers are the most pretentious i’ve ever heard.
chief and his hatred of bunting puzzle me.
That’s a pretty egregious strawman you have there. Chief doesn’t hate bunting, he hates the ridiculous over usage of the bunt.
There’s no reason to be giving away outs so early in the game, all you’re doing is hurting your chances of putting up multiple runs.
nice slide by the big canuck.
I don’t like to speak for others, but I believe Chief would point out that you only get 3 outs an inning and giving one away leaves you with only two more. It pretty much assures that you won’t have a big, crooked number inning. Sac bunting in the first 7 innings is not something I favor either. Rare exceptions… like 0-0 game in the 6th, but very rare.
Damn, I wish Young would take a pitch…
to each their own. There are no guarantees that multiple runs will score in a given situation, however, you greatly improve your chances of scoring at least one run moving the runners over with an effective sacrifice bunt.
That is why you don’t bunt Punto in the 2nd inning.
I’m here for ya, Carlos.
listening to XM175 the baseball channel today…. they didn’t seem to be too impressed with Bradford. The Big Sweat has pretty similar stats and most of us aren’t too impressed with him. Still an upgrade to Bass however.
Why in the world would you bunt with 2 outs? Don’t get it.
Is it just punto you guys don’t like to bunt, or is it bunting in general? I know punto is a lousy bunter, it gave me screaming fits of rage watching him try to bunt last year.
Bunt with two outs, bases loaded twice? Then another K? He has NO confidence right now.
i never want to see Punto bunt
Gomez flushes another at-bat down the toilet, good thing he’s “exciting.”
Mr automatic out=Gomez. He seriously looks completely overmatched lately.
I repeat…
SEND GOMEZ DOWN!
anyone remembers the double play bunt by Nickie earlier this year?
Bunting in the third inning, in almost any situation, is stupid, whether or not Punto is at the plate.
I can understand it with a weak hitting pitcher at the plate in the NL.
ok Erik
send him down.
who would you bring up?
Gomez has been playing pretty well other than today lately…
and who can’t forget the great LNP bunt double play
No confidence is right! No competence being the root cause.
I doubt the Twins will send Gomez down, but I can see his playing time dwindle drastically if/when Cuddyer comes back.
If the Twins brass continue to insist on keeping Gomez “at the major league level” (as opposed to in the majors) then on the last day of the season they need to hand Carlos a plane ticket to LAX to spend the entire off season with Rod Carew.
This kid needs to learn the art of hitting the Carew way, or something, because he has no clue about what to do at the plate. Whatever he has accomplished has been on raw talent, but someone (clearly Vavra hasn’t been able to do it yet)needs to get inside this guys skull and get him to understand all that comprises being a major league hitter.
I think I’d rather see Carew take this lump of clay than send him to the minors to wallow. But that’s just me.
no reason to send Gomez down, his playing time will be cut if Cuddyer comes back
Chief, i hope you are right, though i wish they would send him down to learn to hit without being a detriment to a contending team.
YGTBKM,
All sac bunting sucks in the AL in the first 7 innings, IMO. It’s for the NL pitchers.
I wonder if anyone has studied the probability of scoring from 2nd with one out versus scoring from 1st with no outs? And after that, you would need to evaluate the pros/cons of the big innings versus the improved odds of one run innings.
I like hitting, so bunting sucks for me. But, to each his own. I just don’t like the expectation that if Gardy doesn’t move a runner over with a bunt that he is some kind of idiot. This inning proved there is merit in not bunting.
Carlos,
we all no Gardy is an idiot no matter what he does…. just depending on who thinks it
CudDL is the new RonDL. I seriously think that he will not contribute this year
Must have taken quite a shot to come out of the game. Anyone with an update on Cuddy, other than the bruise?
I wonder if anyone has studied the probability of scoring from 2nd with one out versus scoring from 1st with no outs? And after that, you would need to evaluate the pros/cons of the big innings versus the improved odds of one run innings.
There has been considerable time spent on this subject, the data is out there for anyone willing to read up on it.
I think it has been brought up before, but is Gomez not learning a language issue? With todays MLB largely populated with latin american players, why do the twins not have a spanish speaking coach of any kind? Maybe Vavra, Gardy, Liddle or someone speaks spanish that i’m not aware of. (I’m not implying racism, just foolishness.) Of course, a teacher can only teach what the student is willing or able to learn.
cuddles
“I wonder if anyone has studied the probability of scoring from 2nd with one out versus scoring from 1st with no outs?”
Run expectancy charts have been a staple of the stat geeks for years, although I don’t think they tell you very much.
They treat one out, runner on second, Joe Nathan pitching with the other team’s 8 and 9 hitters due up, as if that were identical to one out, Brian Bass pitching, and Manny/Papi due up for Boston.
I would argue the “run expectancy” isn’t the same in those two situations, so I don’t put a lot of stock in those “run expectancy” charts.
Run expectancy charts have been a staple of the stat geeks for years,
Are you sure you don’t mean “teenagers”?
carlos, i don’t think gardy’s ever an idiot for not sac bunting, and i’m not a fan of bunting someone over to second at all, but i’m all for bunting a guy to third with no outs, in either a tie game, or with the lead.
“Are you sure you don’t mean “teenagers”?”
Nope,no word filter over here, Snepp. 
Chief,
You should maybe change your opinion. They support our position…
Run Expectancy
Yrs: 99-02 Outs: 0 1 2
Empty 0.555 0.297 0.117
1st 0.953 0.573 0.251
2nd 1.189 0.725 0.344
3rd 1.482 0.983 0.387
1st_2nd 1.573 0.971 0.466
1st_3rd 1.904 1.243 0.538
2nd_3rd 2.052 1.467 0.634
Loaded 2.417 1.65 0.815
Doesn’t look real good on this page. But, regarding our discussion, the chart says an average .953 runs score from first with no outs and an average of .725 runs score from second with one out.
How ’bout that! The stats support my instincts. I don’t need to look any further.
anyone saw that catch by Gomez?
let’s send him to the minors
Carlos: Investigate further, and I think you’ll find the chances of scoring ‘exactly’ one run muddy the waters a bit. It’ll lend a little bit of credence to the idea of sacrificing late in a game where one run is likely to make a huge impact on the game.
I still dont’ put much stock in those charts, though.
YGTBKM,
The stats would say bunting someone from 2nd to 3rd with no outs, reduces your runs scored from 1.189 to .983.
I like this chart. It tells me that giving up outs is not a good move.
Yea, Chief, I know that is true. But, this chart is the one that we need, because it tells us how many runs we would score on average by not bunting versus bunting. I know there are charts that show the probability of actually scoring a run. That doesn’t apply to the first 7 innings of a game, IMO.
Anybody else nervous every time a ball is hit to left?
I wonder sometimes if DY needs corrective lenses.
Gomez. The worst of the starting nine by far!
I agree Harris should be in the game because of this hot bat, but Everett at SS. Why not slide Harris over at SS and play Buscher against the righties? Then bring in Everett defensively in the late innings? He’s only batting .189 yet he is going to start over Buscher. Gardy really, really likes the Defense…….
Beat up the starter, roll over for the reliever? Twins better not let up. Be surprised if three runs wins this with our bullpen.
La Velle,
thanks for coming on the radio in South Dakota!!! We like o hear from you!
hahahahaha cuddles. I say, if Cuddyer goes down with one more freaking injury, everybody starts calling him cuddles. Thats good stuff.
Can’t we let Gomez play everyday at AAA when Cuddyer comes back (if he ever gets healthy). Let him do now what Span did early in the season and get his confidence down there.
we should call him cuddles anyway, just cause its an awesome nickname.
You guys, the ladies have been calling him Cuddles for ages!!! You’re kinda late on this one…
At least i contributed something tonight
assist to thrylos
OK. But, I think it needs to be CudDLs so it makes sense to the uneducated masses.
Carlos,
we’re all uneducated
the argument against sending Gomez down is simple:
a. the middle positions (C, SS, CF) are traditionally defensive positions
b. Gomez is by far the best defensive centerfielder the Twins ever had (and yes he is better defensively than Hunter and Puckett over there)
and he is freaking 22 years old…
Give the kid a break
Shawn,
I like the Cuddles moniker, how about tweaking it a bit to CudDLes
Gomez has great range, but I don’t think I’d call him an overall better center fielder than Hunter in his prime yet.
You could go an entire year and not see a bad throw from Hunter. You see one from Gomez once a week.
I’d be all for sending Gomez down…..
if there was a better option in AAA
there isn’t, keep him in MN
that works for me
what’s uneducated?
is that the first double steal of the year?
Gomez will be all right. I just want the Twins to hire Rod Carew in the off-season. Then I want Gomez to move in with him, and for Carew to teach the kid how to hit, how to bunt, and how to steal and run the bases. That’s all I ask Carl and Bill.
uneducated on this blog = having an opinion somewhat different from someone else’s
There goes Punto…
anyone else questions Gardy not PH Ruiz here with the lefty up and starting Buscher at 3B with Harris switching to SS next inning?
Torii was a better defensive centerfielder. The arm strength is pretty even, but Torii is (and was) much more accurate than Gomez. Gomez makes up for bad jumps/angles to balls with his speed. Torii always took great angles and got great jumps. Now maybe with more time, Gomez will start taking better angles to balls and get better jumps, but he still has a long ways to go.
3-run HR by Pedroia off Dotel brings Red Sox to within 4-3 in 8th…Buerhle (sp?) was dominant through 7+ and left with 4-0 lead…hopefully, the WS bullpen will keep pitching like Bass…
Remember that week where LNP looked ok at the plate? Good times.
thrylos98,
you and I are in perfect agreement on Gomez. I said in april that I would be fine with .250 from Gomez with the speed he has and ability to save runs and games defensively.
Not to mention, but I guess I just did, his couple of weeks of batting stats are quite decent…
.379 .419 .379 .799
thrylos,
i think with a 3-0 lead this early and the heart of the order up next inning it might be too early to weaken the Defense….
even though i hate seeing Punto at bat
Oh, and by the way, the uneducated masses are those people not here right now to read the invention of CudDLs. All who are here right now are obviously the educated masses.
(thrylos98, you have to start reading my posts. LOL)
Carlos,
as you know i am with ya on the Gomez thing…. although i quit wearing the Gomez jersey…. they are 0-4 when i wear it
Wow.
This ump refuses to give either pitcher the outside corner of the plate to a LHH’er.
as a graduate of the University of Clem Haskin i often feel uneducated.
why did span throw home?
matt
well put.
Why are Slowey and Mauer nibbling against Guillen?
Shawn,
Thanks. And, BTW, Tubby U grads seem to be alright.
meatball pitch, glad it was only a single
how does a 22 yr old major league baseball player like Butler get so fat?
Breslow over Reyes here?
I would really love to view what goes through Gardy’s mind in terms of how he handles these matchups.
WTH is he “saving” Reyes for?
good job B-lo
Gardy overtly showing concern at 2-0 on Gordon surely evokes a great deal of confidence toward an already shaky bullpen.
Bad news on Cuddy - broken second metatarsal…..
that Aviles has a strong arm
Breslow has 20 game appearances (18 innings) for Twins and has only given up 4 ERs. I’ll take that.
LaVelle,
better tell the booth
Say it ain’t so CudDLs! Hard to believe.
CudDLs out for the season with that?
Well, now we can officially ditch the discussion about who plays/rotates/sits. Looks like the team is set, GoGo gets playing time and we can go back to bitching about the pen. I feel a little sad that we have one less thing to discuss.
Can we wait until the end of the season to discuss Cuddles to 3B?
we can wait until spring training to talk about where CudDLs will play.
maybe GJones thinks if he injures all of the guys in front of him that he will make the big club again
Boy…the FO wasn’t kidding. These things really DO have a way of working themselves out.
Everett’s coming back from the DL, down goes Casilla.
Cuddyer’s coming back. Oh wait, he just broke his foot.
CudDLs out for the season with that?
Broken foot/toe is the basis for everything he does. You figure however many weeks to heal, plus however many to rehab.
Here’s an idea….MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!!!
Wasn’t he on the DL last year because he tripped over his own feet running to 3B and he bruised his back rolling over his helmet??
C’mon Mike…get some coordination.
Congrats Randy Ruiz, your stay in the MLB has been extended!
Brasky,
remember when the ball bounced on his head before he caught it? he must just be one of those accident prone guys.
It seems that, barring an unexpected waiver deal, the remaining mystery for the team is how/if Casilla will be functional and, if so, who will be the sacrificial lamb…Everett or Ruiz. I suppose that, in an odd way, Kubes may be a beneficiary of CudDL’s injury tonight.
I really hope Casilla can come back because I am sick of seeing LNP at 2nd and batting second. He needs to go back to short and hitting 8 or 9. It may not happen for the rest of this season.
OT: the Vikes defense looked like dog diarrhea tonight. I don’t think I need to book the Super Bowl flights/hotels yet.
LaVelle, looks like a pretty nice Twins crowd tonight. Estimate?
Either that or drink some milk…
Erik … this is what Gardy is saving Reyes for
Can our pitcher please have more quck 123 innings. It seems it takes a half an hour to get through.
It would have been a quick inning if Everett would have made the play for the 3rd out
This is bad news on Cuddyer. DY in LF and Gomez trying to hit aren’t going to work too well. Now we have 3 viable OF’s (not counting Kubel as a viable option), 2 are rookies, one is 2nd year and looks lost playing LF, one has the looks of a professional hitter, but since he barely has 100 MLB at-bats its hard to say. Gomez is a train wreck at the plate right now, and I really dont want any balls hit in DY’s direction. I was leaning toward having Cuddy, Span and DY, with Gomez as late inning defense and pinch running duty. But now…..is there anybody on the farm who can help?
Wonder if the Twins FO wishes they had snagged Ellsbury now?
For goodness sake get this out!
Willie,
“OT: the Vikes defense looked like dog diarrhea tonight.”
No problem.
This time of the year, the offense is usually ahead of the……………..wait a minute!
Its the other way around.
There may be a problem after all.
broken second metatarsal is out for the season. Can’t operate on it. You just got to rest it and hope it heals ok. The key is whether or not there are any chards flying around.
Yeap. Cuddy ain’t coming back this year
Reyes. Stop it! Throw strikes.
Why is this a big deal about Cuddyer? We don’t need him. We’ve done just fine without him - better actually. He’s a very average player that’s making $8 million.
YAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNN….
Ellsbury has about the same avg. as Gomez and is being benched for Coco more often now, so I don’t think the FO wishes they’d have Ellsbury instead of Gomez.
freezes him!
Thank GOD Reyes.
Settle down Dick. My God, act like you’ve been there before.
i need a drink
Please I would like to see some uneventful innings from the BP. They make me extremely nervous on the road.
Randy Ruiz can unpack his suitcase now!He is the DH vs LHP’s until the end of the season.
It may be an upgrade.
Gardy likely will be warming up Nathan…but I bet he doesn’t want to have to use him too much this series with the Yankees looming in the background.
On a team in desperate need of a RH hitter, losing Cuddyer is a blow, even if he is a tad over-rated. Hopefully the FO will now get us some sort of right-handed bat, as Ruiz is not the answer.
re: vikes,
(it seems like a sacrilege to talk about the Vikes’ pre season game while the Twins have a meaningful game going on and they are hanging by their teeth, but)
they had 4 fumbles lost
the first time they tried a running play was in the second quarter
half of their starting D-line and Adrian were not playing
and last but not least, my man Darius kicked some rear end returning kicks tonight
Breslow has 20 game appearances (18 innings) for Twins and has only given up 4 ERs. I’ll take that.
Reyes in that same time frame (since June 1) has 23 game appearances (13 innings) and has given up 4 ERs.
Advantage Breslow regarding his own runs scored. I didn’t bother with inherited runners for either.
We need another bullpen arm a lot worse than another right-handed bat.
can’t really put any stock in the first preseason game
howeda,
how did you determine that Randy Ruiz “is not the answer”?
Last time I checked, he led the Twins in every offensive category in spring training and still has hit the most home runs in the Twins’ organization this year.
On the other hand, CudDLs, has been hitting LHP worse than Harris…
Wait, this pitcher was an outfielder first?
And Ankiel was an pitcher turned outfielder.
Switch at birth?
Wagers on who pitches the 8th? Nathan going 2 tonight?
CWS win 5-3.
Guess the Twins are lucky they get to play KC right now. I get the feeling if it was a better team we would be roadkill right about now.
Thrylos…fair enough. I’ll revise my statement to ‘Randy Ruiz is likely not the answer.’
still has hit the most home runs in the Twins’ organization this year.
Punto and Everett have hit more homers this season for the Twins than Ruiz has hit in his life.
It looks like the playing roster is pretty much set, except for whether Casilla comes back or not. From this perch (admittedly a wide one in an easy armchair) it looks like the tale of the remainder of the Twins’ season will be writ by the performance of the Twins’ bullpen.
From the outside it appears each win will be gained by the collective nail chewing of players and fans.
We have a neophyte GM and I can’t pretend to know what goes on in his head. But I will be willing to bet that Billy boy will not sit idle the next time his 8th inning set-up specialist goes down early in the season. This situation is really on the GM and not the field staff, IMO.
Smith had plenty of time to find a replacement and seems to have underestimated either his current ML bullpen or what he had in the vaunted minor leagues.
I have a sneaking suspicion that at the end of the year, regardless of if they make the playoffs or not, most people interested in the Twins’ success will rue the lack of a move to replace Neshek as soon/close to the time he went down.
One more pitcher that looks like how Balfour or Hawkins or Guardado or pre-injury Crain would have looked pretty danged good right now. I hope it works out but lately it feels like a dog trying to gain purchase on linoleum around the 6th inning.
ray, I don’t think Nathan starts the ninth. I can’t imagine Gardy wants to bring him in unless there’s already trouble.
Guerrier
T,
the “Twins organization” includes the minor leagues… Ruiz leads the Twins organization with 17 home runs…
or more Sweat
Oh. Right. Except those don’t help the Twins. At all.
Also, I thought Morneau has 18.
Guerrier warmed up, but man…it’d have been nice if Reyese and Crain didn’t have to split the 7th like that. Guerrier was what…6 of 7 games there.
And jeez. Everett just doesn’t have anything on that arm. That was weak.
I guess Morneau’s 18 bombs don’t count??
“Punto and Everett have hit more homers this season for the Twins than Ruiz has hit in his life.”
Punto and Everett have hit more homers this season for the Twins than A-Rod has hit in his life.
What the hell does that mean?
I’m willing to bet that if Ruiz plays against all the starting lhps the rest of the year he will finish with more HRs than Punto and Everett combined
Morneau has 18
I doubt Nathan comes in for the 8th as well. That probably means Guerrier, so get out the Quaalude’s and Alka Setzer now.
I dont know how Gardy handles it, sitting in the dugout, watching batters blow a big inning possibility in the 3rd, then do nothing, and then need your middle BP to hold ‘em off at the pass just to give Nathan a shot in the 9th. What next? Disco Dan Ford trying to score while jiving backwards into home plate?
ok ok. mea culpa Morneau has one more HR than Ruiz this year (which is 15 more HRs than CudDLs)
I’m so tired of Dick making excuses for everyone…in this case Guerrier. He is such a blind homer it’s ridiculous.
Alternative:
Kubel is the DH against RHP, LHP and ambidextrius pitchers.
Are we the only team in baseball with a 4-man bullpen?
Bill Brasky,
“I’m so tired of Dick making excuses for everyone…in this case Guerrier. He is such a blind homer it’s ridiculous.”
He is just balancing the scales against the blind anti-homers - like you!
1 inning of pitching to go.
When did Ruiz get HRs in the majors? When he does that then he can be compared to major league hitters.
My prediction, and I know I’m going out on a limb here: Nathan will start the bottom of the 9th! Yes, that’s right, I said it, and I’m standing by it: Nathan will pitch the 9th…
Now you can bunt with my permission.
I don’t have any problem with a bunt here.
same thing Mauer … bunt for a hit
Cuddyer is done for the season.
Its time to flip-flop Delmon and Span to RF and LF.
Range belongs in LF at the Dome and arm strength belongs in RF everywhere.
K.C.has gift wrapped this game or so it seems.
sane,
that makes too much sense to happen…
Mr. sane (10:22), Listening to Tom Hamilton/Mike Hegan of the Indians last time in at the Dome, they said Young is a far better right fielder. Your advice is well-taken.
Sane, asking DY to make such a ‘dramatic’ adjustment would surely cause his head to explode, just like moving Gomez to 9th in the order.
I’m sure glad the flip-flop was not in effect yet the other day. Call me crazy, but I bet DY does not rob Beltre’s near-homer.
There we go. Thank you.
Really annoying how shaky our relief pitchers are, even Nathan. Get it to gether boys!
“Its time to flip-flop Delmon and Span to RF and LF.”
Not a problem.
The Twins are quick to make adjustments.
Like Gomez to the 9-hole and Span to leadoff.
Like Livan and Rincon to DFA.
Like Casilla to MLB.
Like Buscher to MLB.
Like Span to MLB.
Like Liriano to MLB.
Geez what a game!! I feel like I’ve been dragged around the field abount 300 times..
Me too, Krissy. The drama that is the BP.
Just think if we had played for one run in the 2nd instead of getting the big 3-run inning sans bunt.
Night all. Gotta rest up for 11 AM Coon Rapids versus S.D. little league regional championship game tomorrow.
(On ESPN at 11 AM)
good luck Carlos
here is another thought about OF flip flops:
Span has a noodle arm. Gomez projects as a corner OF. How about Gomez LF, Span CF, Young RF (ring around the rosie; I am sure they will not fall down, that is reserved for CudDLs)
how does Gomez project as a corner?
O Boy. Everett got a hit. Let him play with that tremendous bat and strong arm from SS.
Shawn,
to make a long story short, Gomez has way much more power potential than a traditional centerfielder and way much better arm than a traditional centerfielder. That’s why Gomez projects as a corner.
Span has an average arm. Very acceptable. Flipping him and Young is long overdue. Not so much because Young has a better arm, but because Young is such a stiff in the field. LF in the dome is so much bigger than RF. Span has the skills to cover the ground and catch the ball in LF. Young does not.
Young has botched so many plays in the field this year. He has poor natural instincts for fielding.
Disclaimer: Let’s not forget, Delmon Young is only 12 years old….. or something like that.
Bad news: Cuddy is out with a broken foot.
Good news: The Twins don’t need him anyway.
Bad news: Ruiz can’t help this team.
Good news: There are several players in the minors who can.
If the Twins would have known that Cuddyer was going to break his foot, I am sure that they would have switched Young and Span. The question now is, will doing so this late in the season be of any benefit? I’m not sure, but I do agree with Craig that Delmon is simply not a good left fielder. Would he be that much better in right? I’m not sure, but it is true that the main defensive asset he has, a truly strong arm, would be more beneficial in right. Probably the best case for switching Span and Young is that Span is eventually going to play a lot in left anyway. Young has almost a full seaon’s experience in left as a Twins, plus a full season last year in right field.
For one … Gomez projects to be about a 20-25 HR hitter at best. And two, the outfielder with the weakest arm usually will play left (Shannon Stewart, Rondell White) due to the short throw to 3B. Center and Right fielders usually have much stronger arms than leftfielders.
As nice as it was to see the Twins win tonight, it was also frustrating as hell. The win was sheer luck, mostly because Slowey pitched tough when he need to. But our meathead manager starting Everett and Go-Go instead of Buscher and Lamb??? An intelligent manager would have pulled the hapless Go-Go (forget tonight’s hit; the guy sucks offensively) and the inept Everett, put Kubel in right, moved Harris to SS, put Buscher at 3B, and hit Lamb in the DH spot.
Then, meathead uses up SIX pitchers in a 4-1 game??? WTF?!
KC is a bad baseball team. And, tonight’s win was lucky. If this team is going to make it to the post-season, if it’s actually going to beat teams like New York this week, it needs a hell of a lot less arrogance and ignorance from its meathead manager.
BTW: You can project all you want with Gomez, but he’s just another overhyped prospect that will never amount to much. He is so bad at the plate half the time that he might not hit 20-25 home runs in his CAREER! Nice at bat with the bases loaded today, huh? And stolen bases, his forte? Yeah. On May 10 he stole his 16th base. He stole two tonight and now has…23!
Many rookies come up and light the league up the first couple months. Then, the league figures them out and they go back to what they were–shitty hitters.
Span is the real deal. Gomez is a farce, and we really only need one leadoff guy. So, perhaps it’s time to start eying a right fielder with some power this offseason (one that can stay healthy) and send Gomez to a team that doesn’t care if it’s CF airmails half his throws into the upper deck or sports a .268 OBP as a leadoff hitter. Just look at the guy; he looks dumber than a box of rocks.
Oh, I’m sorry, the Mets organization, and the New York media, both told us that Go-Go was a “tremendous talent.” Silly me. I guess that’s why they let him go, huh? Because he’s as talented as the other three vastly over-hyped puss arms we got in that Johan salary dump.
Send the clown to the Mexican League for the Saltillo Sarapemakers mascot, man.
PS Does Cuddy have osteoporosis or what? The guy’s made out porcelain. Hey, where’s Corey Koskie when you need a durable gamer?
Bill Brasky-So Cuddy needs to get some coordination does he.He was a All-State QB who turned down a free ride to a major D1 program.Every one on the the Trib blogs should get together and talk baseball.We could all throw in 10 or 20 bucks that would go to charity with the stipulation that everyone wear a badge with their moniker on it.That would be more fun than going to a comedy club!
Well for what it is worth. Cuddyer is done for the season.Even if he gets off his cructh’s in Sept. then he will not have to do any rehap work because both of our triple AAA and double AA teams will not be playing so there is really no place to send him, except send him home. Im sorry but because of his injuries this season, his season has been over for some time…..
Lala,
“Oh, I’m sorry”
The only fact in your post.
Or you can tell us again, how you are able to diagnose sports injuries because you are a “massage therapist”.
Just like my ex-girlfriend was a “massage therapist”…I mean “hooker”.
