Setting up in Las Vegas
Posted on December 7th, 2008 – 7:58 PMBy La Velle
Baseball officials and media members are slowly arriving in Las Vegas for the start of MLB’s winter meetings, but it’s hard to tell as we’re weaving through a mass of humanity at the Bellagio Hotel.
I feared this. It will be tough this week to chase down baseball officials and agents through this busy place. Plenty of escape routes. Diversions everywhere.
It’s early and I’m just getting organized. But I will have a notebook in tommorrow’s paper that will include some of the following:
The Twins were still waiting to see if Dennys Reyes accepts their offer of arbitration before the 11 p.m. deadline tonight. I would be stunned if he did because the Twins only want him for one year and he’s a lock to get a three-year deal elsewhere.
Twins assistant GM Rob Antony said there would be less of an urgency to look for bullpen help if Reyes returns, but I’ve got to believe there would still be some sort of urgency. Maybe morderately urgent instead of five-alarm urgent.
But again, if Reyes accepts, I’ll be floored.
Nick Punto is here and will meet with interested clubs, including the Twins. He admitted it would be tough for him to leave the team.
Someone claimed the lead singer of the band Rush was in the same area of the hotel I was in, but I have no idea what he looks like…..he’s a male, right?
Checked in on Garrett Atkins and I’m starting to think there might not be a match with the Twins. The Rockies want to hold onto him because Todd Helton had back surgery and no one is sure how he’ll bounce back from that. They might need Atkins to play first…
….but, the Rockies do need a corner outfielder and it might be easier to get them to move Huston Street.
The Veterans Committee tommorrow will announce if anyone received enough votes for the Hall of Fame. There a belief that Ron Santo has a shot but Tony O. should be in the running too.
It might be tough to hear from Tony if he wins - he’s in Cuba right now.
Finally, in case you were sitting on pins and needles about this, the winner of Eddie Guardado’s poker tournament held here over the weekend: Frank Thomas.
133 Responses to "Setting up in Las Vegas"
How about Dan Uggla?
Move our 2nd baseman to short and insert the infield power hitter we want, not at Third base but at Second. Maybe he becomes Third baseman eventually.
If I hear one more rumor about the Rockies I’ll give up. Yes, I would not mind Atkins, and would welcome Street, but the GM is a moron and he wants an everyday player + some other stuff from us for one of his guys - and its most likely a legit everyday player that’s cheap and has potential (ie Young). I would only consider giving up Cuddy because of his injury problems and atrocious contract.
I demand they talk to other teams. Texas is looking to deal, Seattle has a new GM (Beltre is the guy they should aim for) and others are interested as well. All I seem to hear on these threads are the Atkins Diet and Street and the moronic Rox GM.
Guys like Blalock, Uggla, Mora, Escobar, Hardy, Beltre + Putz, etc make a lot of sense for this team, and could be had for more reasonable deals than what Colorado is asking.
Just get Beltre and get it over with. Sell the goddamn farm if you have to.
Its a serious gamble but I think they should try to sign Furcal. They won’t, but they should if his price falls which it looks like it will. Or tell the braves we want Escobar and then they can make a run at Furcal.
As far as 3rd base I have no idea what they are going to do. Hopefully they deal for Wigginton if the Astros are as tight for money as they appear to be. But I think they are still convinced they can contend.
Geddy Lee of Rush? (Long dark hair, glasses, a little something on his chin…looks like a relative of the Hansons of Slap Shot fame).
If you run into him, have him do a rendition of the “Take Off (to the Great White North)” song in honor of Morneau.
Twins need to start playing that song as Morneau rounds the bases after a homer.
Don’t sell the farm for anyone, especially not someone who’s not that far above average and you’ll only have for one year.
Are you kidding? Do you plan to be a Twins fan one year from now?
Sirsean - yah we won’t be selling the farm, even for Beltre (who is much better than ‘not that far above average’ thank you very much). the most the Twins would ever give up is 2-3 prospects, not all of them A-level talent. I suspect Beltre and Seattle would need at least 2 top prospects (Martin and one of the pitchers ie Swarzak, Duensing) and maybe an every day guy (ie Buscher) for the deal to get done. That is doable, just we’ll have to wait and see what kid of cahones BS took with him to vegas.
Buscher isn’t an everyday guy.
The Mariners will want Perkins or Blackburn plus prospects for Beltre.
Either way, it’s a fair price to pay, depending on the prospects.
I’d love for the Twins to sign Furcal, but I don’t see it happening. Furcal, Casilla, Span, and Gomez all in a row would be fun, however.
There’s no point in re-signing Punto; Tolbert brings the same thing to the table for 10% of the price. Let him go to New York or back to Philadelphia. We really shouldn’t even be in talks with him… but Gardy is of course lobbying for his friend like there’s no tomorrow. Sigh.
The Cardinals are supposedly targeting pitching going into the Winter Meetings. I’m still going to sit back and quietly pray for Troy Glaus.
Dan Uggla… why? Why is that a good fit for the style of baseball that we play? I swear, there must be something in the corn…
Yunel Escobar is a good fit, but probably unavailable. J.J. Hardy is a good fit, but probably unavailable. Dan Uggla, even if available needs to lose 20 lbs and start back in A+ ball to figure that whole aligator drill for fielding balls.
Thanks for your submission. Blah.
Z
[…] Twins Insider – […]
Steve - by definition Perkins and Blackburn aren’t ‘everyday’ guys either 
At any rate, if all it took was Perkins and a prospect, the deal would have been done already. I make that trade in a heartbeat and I think BS and everyone else does too. Problem is I think they want 2 prospects, but of high level which is something the Twins won’t do.
Why Glaus anyway? Beltre has the same average, about the same pay (12 mill + for Glaus? really?), about the same power, but a MUCH better glove and is (slightly) younger. On the other hand, I see the Cards as potential fit for us - they need pitching, and we’ve got it. That said, Glaus sure is pricey (pay that is), and he hasn’t eclipsed 30 HR’s in awhile (although in 06 he had 38, which is crazy awesome).
I can see the merits for both; problem is, I haven’t heard Glaus on the trading block, and Beltre’s name is the one that has popped up. That and I am not sure how many years Glaus has on his deal whereas Beltre is in a contract year (thus is motivated to play well so he can get another big long term deal).
We’ll have to wait and see what happpens. I’d be happy with either of those guys, as long as its a fair trade (literally).
La Velle
If a trade happens with the Rockies, the center piece will be Street not Atkins
Beltre - Account of the contract is non factor, ( length not money) a dealine trade is much more likely. He is a 2009 FA.
If we trade a starter, R Johnson and R Wolf will hit the radar
RH relief is a higher prioroty than the infield.
J Donald is in play
More ro come
Glaus is also in a contract year, with the same salary as Beltre, and posted an RZR of .698 to Beltre’s .700.
I’d be fine with Beltre or Glaus. I just suggested Glaus because he’s a less-talked-about name, and he because he had a really nice rebound last year from a bad finish to his time in Toronto.
I hope they at least explore the option of Glaus, because Seattle’s asking prices seem high (although I realize circumstances have completely changed).
And I know it would take more than Perkins and a prospect; that’s why I said “prospectS.”
Johnson looks so intriguing - obviously the shadow of his former self but the guy would put even more butts in the seats, is a legend and can teach the youngsters (especially Liriano) a thing or two. And I have a feeling he likes our organization (who wouldn’t).
Trade Steve from Fridley.
The guy is an idiot….
Steve - I should read more closely 
Always been a fan of Glaus, and you make a solid point. and the Cards might be better trading partners. Let’s hope something happens.
Very true. I am an idiot.
Trade me to the Chicago Tribune blogs.
La Velle, have you heard anything new on Beltre?
I’d rather we buy out Topp Dogg’s contract so we can ship him off to play in Japan with Tony Bautista.
Steve from Fridley’s agent is Scott Boras - don’t pursue a trade 
I want six years and a blogger option for a seventh.
Additionally, I’d like incentives related to every post exceeding six paragraphs, Nick Punto jokes, and smiley face usage.
My favorite trade idea is to trade D.Young to Phillidelphia for Madson, A RH Reliever and Jason Donald, the infield prospect. That would not up payroll too much and we can still sign Blake if he decides he wants to play here.
I am a Delmon Young fan and would like him to stay, but this makes a lot of sense as the Phillies are looking to add an OF to replace Burrel and keep costs low as their payroll is getting up there, and it essentially takes care of all of our offseason needs assuming Jason Donald is ready for the bigs. This would also allow us to sign Blake to play 3b and back up LF, RF, 1B, and DH.
Uggla? You must be kidding, that would be plain ugly. You could give him a bushel basket and he still could not field a ball.
I would trade Perkins for Beltre in a New York minute, throw in Philip Humber too. I know Beltre is a one year fix probably but I don’t ever see a season where Perkins holds up for a complete year. Perkins is one fragile guy and I see him as very injury prone.
Glaus is hurt too much and is too old. Blalock has been hurt but he is young and I would take a shot with him.
I like adding Aitkins for Cuddyer and Blackburn. Can’t trade Perkins yet he will be better this year than he was last year. If this doesn’t please the Rockies then Aitkins for Young straight up.
I would hate to see the Twins trade Delmon Young. So he didn’t have a break-out year in ‘08. So he’s not Mr. bubbly personality(that we know of). He is a talent too large to let go. Trading him could someday be reminiscent of the David Ortiz trade.
i don’t get it when people say delmon is a talent too large to let go. yes, he did gain a lot of weight last year, but his baseball talent was nowhere to be found. he was god awful in the field and it’s not like his offensive struggles were a fluke. he just simply isn’t a great hitter. if we wanted a leftfielder who could hit around .290 with no power, we can find one on waivers. delmon was brought in to mash, and he hasn’t shown an instance of being able to do so in his major league career. if the twins can get something for him (street, beltre, or donald) i say see ya later delmon.
There is another possible option.
The Marlins are still seeking to cut payroll and listening to offers for Jorge Cantu. They are also thinking of making an offer to Pudge.
If they need catching, why not offer up one the catching prospects? The deal would probably have to be a catching prospect, plus, but it might be enough to start the ball rolling.
Cantu can also play 2nd, so if Blake did reconsider and take the Twins 2+1 offer, they could shuffle Cantu to 2nd and Casilla to short.
As far as bullpen help goes, there is a glut of closers on the market right now - several more than there are teams in need. Even K-Rod is having trouble getting what he wants and will probably have to settle for a three year deal.
I think the Twins should start looking at FA closers and making a few offers. They could offer a one year deal with a player option for a second (or more) years.
The selling point being that the player could be the Twins 8th inning guy with the occasional save opportunity when Nathan needs a rest, then next year could opt out if the free agent market looks better for closers.
“Someone claimed the lead singer of the band Rush was in the same area of the hotel I was in, but I have no idea what he looks like…..he’s a male, right?”
I will use google before I ask stupid questions.
I guess this one’s not stupid, just a saying I’ve seen on the internet from time to time.
“If we trade a starter, R Johnson and R Wolf will hit the radar”
Yeah, ’cause Randy Johnson would love to come play on a great field with a ballclub as historic as the Twins. Where did people start getting this idea? He’s not coming. Period. If he listed places that he wouldn’t go, Kansas Chitty might beat us out, but that’s it. As a matter of fact,
ATTENTION PEOPLE OF THE UNIVERSE: IT’S TIME YET AGAIN TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCMENT THAT EVERYONE WILL SEE. RANDY JOHNSON IS NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! GOING TO EVER PITCH HERE. EVER!
That is all.
And anyway, why do you want him? He’s not that good anymore. He’ll get his 300th and retire. That’s the only reason he’s playing Now, instead of retiring 3 years ago.
Apparently many of the people who post here don’t actually watch the Twins play.
Tolbert is an everyday player who can handle either short or third.
His game is not akin to that of Punto at all. This kid is the real deal.
Beltre is overpriced per his production. Check the facts.
Cuddyer has a contract that makes it simple to trade him. It is priced right and he has hit his peak.
Twins may end up standing pat.
They have the best management in baseball.
LVNIII,
Geddy Lee, of Rush….. look out for this character.
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/events/holocaust08/GeddyLee1.jpg
Uggla? You must be kidding, that would be plain ugly. You could give him a bushel basket and he still could not field a ball.
just a perception:
Uggla 2008: .981 FP .803 ZR
Casilla 2008: .974 FP .830 ZR
Harris 2008 @2B .969 FP .786 ZR
Punto 2008 @2B: .985 FP .787 ZR
Tolbert 2008 @2B: .978 FP .758 ZR
you have one bad game on national tv and it labels you for a long time, i’d be very happy to have uggla!
thrylos could he play 3b? not sure about his arm but couldn’t be any worse than buschers.
I come back from an interesting weekend only to find out that the Twins didn’t sign Blake. Oh big shocker there! That would have made the fans happy and we know the FO hates to sign anyone in an attemp to make us happy. Oh well time for our yearly sign someone worthless or never heard of before winter meetings.
GGG who is old and washed up or who have none of us heard of before whom the Twins will go after? Is there any 45 year old 3rd baseman still out there anymore?
Uggla would be amazing on this team. A power hitting 2B - where do you find those? What would it take to get him?
medschoolmatt says:
December 8th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Uggla would be amazing on this team. A power hitting 2B - where do you find those? What would it take to get him?
Gomez and Span
gobble,
he is slated as the Marlins 3B with Cantu moving to 1B for next year
What would it take to get him?
jimmy bee, the marlins are unloading OFs… I think that a deal centered around Casilla and prospects should be enough
I would be tempted to give them Gomez, but not both. They really only need one OF as it is. If anything, they need a right fielder - Cuddy fits that perfectly.
Cuddy and Martin would be a more fair trade
No one wants Cuddy. We are stuck with his contract ala Marko Jarik. For Uggla I feel like Span and Slowey wouldn’t be a stretch of what the Marlins would want
would they need Casilla? I really like him but then again, our lineup could shape up like this wit him here (and no other deals)
Span
Mauer (where he belongs)
Morneau (he’s made himself a 3 hitter now)
Uggla
Kubel/Cuddy/Young
Kubel/Cuddy/Young
Harris/Buscher
Tolbert
Gomez
LEN if you saw Geddy Lee you’d know it - gotta be the goofiest lookin’ dude in the place.
I say go after Beltre. We can use the franchise tag on him after next year if need be. What’s that, the average of the top 3 or 5 third baseman in the league? I’d say, $16-$18, and thanks for bringing the average up A-(nim)-Rod.
Franchise Tag? This isn’t the NFL Jake
jb: Were you paying attention at all the Blake talks? Not even the Dodgers (who credited Blake just as much as Manny for their postseason push) were willing to give him 3 years.
That’s gotta tell you something. Because the Dodgers are by no means a “cheapskate” team.
As far as Uggla, if the Twins landed Uggla for 2B, I’d rather see Casilla at SS than Tolbert (unless of course it took Casilla to get Uggla)
But then that wouldn’t make sense, as they’re essentially trading 2B for “2B”.
Jake,
Franchise tag is the NFL.
No such designation in MLB.
T just out of curiousity with Blake. Where do you think Blake will land and for how much loot?
I am not too sure Beltre is the answer. For those of you who where frustrated with Delmon Young, you will not want Beltre. He is a very inconsistant hitter and I think we would have to give up way too much for him plus he will demand a high paying contract. Yes he has pop in his bat and in the end will hit smoewhere around 280, but that is also what Delmon Young batted last year, just not as many HR’s.
T - if they’d take one of the super infielders at AAA and Perkins and another prospect, I’d do it in a heartbeat
jimmy bee,
If you read other posts, you would realize that signing Casey Blake would not have made “the fans” happy.
Some would have been happy.
Some would have been unhappy.
Some would have been happy to be unhappy.
Some would have been unhappy to be happy.
Some would have been pissed.
Just like now.
Just like every day.
You guys are on crack. The franchise tag is the best thing to happen to MLB since Bud Selig…wait a minute…
The Twins need to remember that Delmon is under their control for 4 years. Beltre would be a one year $12 million rental before Uncle Scott tries to convince the Yankees they need another third baseman. Atkins and Street are each two years away from free agency.
Are 2 years of Street AND 2 years of Atkins equal to 4 years of Young? Probably, but I don’t think the Rockies will see it that way. Is one year of Beltre worth 4 years of Young? I doubt it. Uggla is 3 years away but the Marlins would be looking to fleece a team of all their prospects like they did the Tigers.
sane I agree with your above statement 100% regarding happiness of fans. What do you think the most popular 3rd base option would be in the Twins fans eyes? Twins fans would probably be mad if we got ARod for 1/4 of his usuall anual salary
jb,
IMO the most popular 3B option would be Beltre, if we could get him for spare parts.
If we have to give up someone who ends up playing in the Big Leagues next year, some Twins fans will bitch that we overpaid.
But you can’t get Beltre for spare parts ONLY.
sane, thanks for the reality humor and the dose of “sanity”….
Since no one wants to give up anything for a 3rd baseman and no one wants to pay a 3rd baseman FA. What other options are left. No one wants to trade for a 3rd baseman.
I have a gut feeling that the Twins are going to make some kind of Free Agent signing or trade this week that we as fans just didn’t see coming.
sane so anyone whom will ever play one inning of pro ball if given up for Beltre oh yes and the mariners must pay all of his contract for the duration of time in which he plays for the Twins then it is a terrible trade and should be stepped away from at all cost.
werbellik,
Thanks.
Like a bridge over troubled waters….
jimmy bee,
You (the Twins) can’t please everybody with any trade, but the day after they win the division, they will be absolved of their sins and all their trades will make them look like geniuses.
If they finish one game out again, however, @#$%@#$%@#$%!!!!
“If they finish one game out again, however, @#$%@#$%@#$%!!!!”
We would have won the WS had it not been for that trade that brought Beltre here for spare parts and no annula salary we would have won the WS .!?ODUIQ^YFG)(C*Q^(*&E%^89
sane, you’re welcome. winter has set in in the great white north. I’m looking for humor wherever I can find it.
Spring Training 2+ months away.
Baseball Opener 3+ months away.
The Masters 4+ months away.
Spring in Minnesota….nowhere near soon enough!
werbellik I don’t think summer came this year. I feel like I live in Moscow
sane,
I think you have things wrong.
When the Twins win the World Series, the over/under of WHEN (how soon) complaints begin is 14 minutes. I’d bet the under heavily
Regards,
Dumb question.
Why is everyone looking for a one/two year fix with older 3B’s like Beltre, Blalock, Blake, Glaus, etc…. instead of someone with a better upside like Kevin Koumanoff or Ryan Zimmerman? Or a decent cast-off like Ty Wigginton? We don’t have anyone in the minors ready to step in for 2011, do we?
sane thank you for opening my eyes to what would satisfy the fans as far as a 3rd baseman for the Twins future is concerned.
werbellik,
Ah, Yaaaas!
Winter.
I remember it well.
Let me know when its over.
I am totally prepared to shovel the rain off of my driveway, if it ever becomes necessary.
sane or if you are close to Malibu you could shovel the neighbors house off of your driveway after the mudslides
“werbellik I don’t think summer came this year. I feel like I live in Moscow”
jimmybee, I hear ya, and the older I get the more I hate it.
“Ah, Yaaaas!
Winter.
I remember it well.
Let me know when its over.
I am totally prepared to shovel the rain off of my driveway, if it ever becomes necessary.”
What kind of shovel do you use for that?
“sane or if you are close to Malibu you could shovel the neighbors house off of your driveway after the mudslides”
jimmybee…lol
jimmy,
Mudslides are just large-scale tobaggan rides down the hill in your own bed.
We don’t have anyone in the minors ready to step in for 2011, do we?
Depends on who you ask, Danny Valencia is regarded by many the Twins 3B of the future.
I think that looking at the future is ok but looking at next season is more improtant. The Twins have a core to win the division in 2009. If they add 3-4 good players they could go far in the post-season. At some point, this club needs to shed the long term future-building mentality. As far as 2011 goes, Mauer will be a free agent by then and the 3 top of rotation starters in their last years of arbitration. Different situation. The Twins have a good 2-year window to win with their current core without their payroll reaching $100M. They should take advantage of that with good players to plug the 3-4 holes they have instead of settling for bandaids.
jimmy,
If a Malibu neighbor’s house ended up in my driveway, it would be the most expensive house on my property.
thrylos98 - which prospects would you give up to get him? We don’t have many major leauge ready guys, Marlins won’t be interested in Single A pitchers/hitters for a guy of the calibar of Uggla
Uggla is worth A LOT. What is your rational that the Marlins want to pull a McHale and give a stud away for nothing?
Randy Wittman out and 1 more to go and we will have progression
“jimmy,
If a Malibu neighbor’s house ended up in my driveway, it would be the most expensive house on my property.”
In my old neighborhood if a Malibu house ended up on my property it would get looted probably by my neighbors
“The Twins have a good 2-year window to win with their current core without their payroll reaching $100M. They should take advantage of that with good players to plug the 3-4 holes they have instead of settling for bandaids.”
Thrylos, spot on! As a lifelong Twins fan I have become too accustomed to accepting the “long term future building mentality” that ends with me saying, there’s always next year!
what do yuo guys think just saw it on mlbtraderumors.com
Astros Willing To Trade Tejada
By Tim Dierkes [December 8 at 11:04am CST]
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Astros are willing to trade Miguel Tejada. Teams are interested in him as a shortstop and third baseman. Rosenthal figures the Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Angels could be matches. He adds that the Astros realize they’d have to eat some of Tejada’s $13MM for ‘09.
Rosenthal says the Astros are not inclined to trade closer Jose Valverde.
Tejada…very interesting…he is exactly the kind of RH bat we would like for the left side of the infield. I am interested, but at what cost?
dan, falls under my previous prediction that the Twins will do something out of the ordinary this week. I’m ok with Tejada as a possible option. Just depends on the what we have to give up. Thanks for the update…
Marlins won’t be interested in Single A pitchers/hitters for a guy of the calibar of Uggla
If you look at today’s team, there are 3-4 holes:
SS
3B
SP
RP
one of Perkins/Blackburn, Cuddyer, Buscher, Harris, Tolbert, Breslow, Guerrier, Crain, and the whole AAA and AA rosters as of last year (minus Valencia maybe) should be expendable to fill those holes.
Who might the Marlins want as far as prospects go? Swarzak, Plouffe, Slama, Mulvey, Manship, Delaney, Martin, Tolleson, Peterson, Pridie… pick 2-3 of those
Tejada did fall off a lot last year, but he still had a productive bat. Certainly good enough to improve our left side.
Problem is…..we had a two-year window in 2006 before Santana and Hunter would become FAs. Come to think of it, almost every year we have a two-year window but fail to find a 3B. We let the Jays sign Koskie in 2004 and we have had a plan for 3B since. If we would have thought longer term in 2006 we could of had a fix on the way in 2008 or 2009. When do we start with a plan?
AaronK Tejada will never be a Twin. IMO He is productive and not old or washed up
stop
right now
seriously.
The MLB is not like the NFL where many bodies are as good as one good body.
Maybe the Twins can get Aaron Boone
jimmy bee, I think the Moscow winter thing is gettin’ to you. No matter how hard I try, I cannot out-cynic you!
I just hope that BS doesn’t once again go out and get us every one else’s sloppy seconds.
And Steve from Fridley, you are absolutely correct about Tolbert/Punto. Resiging Punto makes no sense economically and certainly not offensively.
Are the Dodgers willing to offer Blake a 3rd year? I think the Twins made a fair offer and if LA signs him for 3, better them than us.
Kay, I’m willing to roll the dice on Tobert vs. Punto too. However, I hope the dollars not spent on Punto get spent on a more meaningful move to improve the team for 2009.
jimmy,
its 6 degrees colder in Binghamton than Minneapolis today…. according to my phone….
hope that helps
werbellik sane is 2 x funnier then I and The New and Improved Craig was funnier yet
Shawn in Binghamton says:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
jimmy,
its 6 degrees colder in Binghamton than Minneapolis today…. according to my phone….
hope that helps
Actual it does help. Does it get colder then here all winter?
nope, generally its slightly warmer here, but still cold.
Getty Lee is a big baseball fan. You see him very often sitting behind home plate at Blue Jays games. Too bad he sings through his nose. Hey LEN3! With all the cut backs at the Star-Trib what’s your room rate at the Bellagio?
Shawn in Binghamton I don’t know of many places in the continental United States colder then here in the winter
at least you don’t live up north, a good 5-10 degrees colder on average up there.
Embarrass, Minnesota
Shawn in Binghamton Ooh 50 degrees there Wednesday. jimmy bee is moving to Binghamton
Binghamton is boring, i’d go back to Minneapolis if i could.
Shawn in Binghamton RULE # 1 don’t marry someone from an area you don’t want to end up living in.
Minneapolis is great around Christmas and the 4th of July week.
Nice Jimmy,
she wants to leave here, just with the economy and job security i have, i am probably here for awhile
Shawn in Binghamton Forever and ever Shawn in Binghamton. I thought a while back old jimmy bee and his wife would be surfing and hiking and biking in the mountains. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA old senile jimmy bee foolish jimmy bee.
jimmy bee,
I’m not that bright, HOW do you surf in the mountains?
Regards,
Maybe ya’ll should trade IM’s so you don’t waste space here.
the Dragon that is a good point you just made. I guess I would have to surf at an area called Huntington beach.
Back to baseball. So whom are and aren’t 3rd baseman that the twins will and won’t pursue in Vegas
nothing happening in baseball lets the mind wonder.
Wow. 30 minutes w/o mentioning baseball (except for Geddy Lee going to Blue Jays games).
I wonder where in the world is manny Ramirez going to land. The Dodgers don’t seem to care if they get him back with the economy the way it is right now.
WJ was Geddy Lee in the Vienna Boys’ Choir. So are the Twins going to get Aaron Boone?
Can Cuddyer at least try 3b again? And keep Punto, he is a winner. I hope this is the opening day lineup:
LF-Denard
2b-Casilla
c-Mauer
1b-Morneau
3b-Cuddyer
DH-Kubel
RF-DY
SS-Punto
CF-Go-Go
(looks familiar, I know)
Lee sang the Canadian National Anthem in front of a full crowd at Camden Yards for the 1993 All-Star Game.
the Rush songs are fun to play on Rock Band. Drums are difficult, though.
“So are the Twins going to get Aaron Boone?”
Only if Bret doesn’t come out of retirement.
The Twin already got (Bret) booned once!
I say roll the dice and sign Joe Crede. Put some extra foam padding under the Field Turf around 3B, give him most of his starts on the road and lots of ABs as DH.
Walter,
I agree with you, but I think dealing with Boras will scare the Twins away
T just out of curiousity with Blake. Where do you think Blake will land and for how much loot?
It doesn’t sound like it’s as much about the money as it was that third year (similiar to what happened with Koskie when he left the Twins)
There were reports last season that the Indians would consider bringing Blake back if the Dodgers ended up letting him walk. I could see them giving him that third year.
Of course, it could end up being like the Hunter signing where there’s like four teams in the running and then a fifth comes in out of NOWHERE and take him.
What do you think the most popular 3rd base option would be in the Twins fans eyes?
In order (focusing on names reported so far):
Beltre
Atkins
Blake
Tejada
That’s going mostly on who’s name comes up most frequently and with the least amount of rabid complaints in response.
But none of those four would be overwhelmingly accepted. As one group or another would find something wrong. (Beltre: gave away too much, Atkins: home/road splits, Blake/Tejada: too old)
Of course, all would be forgotten for any 3B aquisition if the Twins made it to the postseason (even if that player had nothing directly to do with it)
It is NEVER wise to make deals with fan response in mind. Because not only will you never be able to please everybody, but some of the more vocal fans will just find something else to be upset about and demand that be fixed next.
Regarding Atkins home/away splits, his numbers could actually improve if he leaves Colorado. Maybe he adjusted TOO WELL to the special conditions of Coors Field, which are very different from the rest of the world. Get him playing half his games in a park more similar to the rest of the league and his road numers may improve.
Here is an interesting Tidbit from ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3754633&name=winter_meetings_2008
the interesting part is towards the bottom of the entry and here is the pertinent quote:
Another Rays note: Yes, they kicked Delmon Young’s name around when the Twins approached them to express interest.
Smith has been saying that he is not actively shopping DY
Someone is lying…
Why the heck would you want to go down that road again? What kind of FO is this that sees Bartlett as an answer to anything?
thrylos,
Should BS be telling the media that he is shopping Delmon (or any other Twins player) around?
What should be his answer to the media when they ask him “Are you shopping……?
Of course he is lying.
Ask the CEO what is the financial future of his company.
Ask the politician what he thinks of his political party heirarchy.
Ask a celebrity if he/she is faithful to his/her wife/husband.
sid,
here is the problem:
let’s assume that BS is shopping Young around. Other clubs’ officials know that DY is being shopped around and one of them is about to leak the information. When BS is asked a direct question like that, he could give a canned answer like the “we are always looking for ways to improve the team and I am not willing to talk specific names” BS, instead of saying no.
Lies do not serve any purpose other than decreasing someone’s credibility in situations like that.
btw, I am not saying that Smith is lying. He might not be shopping him and the Rays might be lying about it…
Another Rays note: Yes, they kicked Delmon Young’s name around when the Twins approached them to express interest. But according to one source who talked to the Rays’ brass, they would “never” take Young back.
Lying?
Its called gamesmanship.
Question:
“Are you shopping ******* around?”
Best Answer:
“Stop asking me stupid questions that you know I can’t answer candidly!”
I sure hope someone is lying about trying to get Bartlett back!
Question:
“Are you shopping ******* around?”
I FOLD
“Are you shopping Delmon around?”
“Well, historically we prefer to just release a player like Delmon. But if thinking we’re shoppin him will make our fans happy…SURE!”
I would love to get Bartlett back. He is great defensively and hit around 280 last year. That was with a really slow start. I think the kid can hit .300 again and play great defense. That is a good SS in my eyes.
AaronK but you also wanted Everett. I dunno if bartlett back is such a great idea. I think if he was so great over there to be MVP of there club why don’t they just keep him
