The (slow) countdown to spring training
Posted on January 19th, 2009 – 1:23 PMBy La Velle
According to ESPN’s free agent tracker, there are 107 of 171 free agents still unsigned. Names like Jason Varitek, Orlando Hudson and Manny Ramirez are still looking for homes.
Seamheads (that’s what we call ourselves) usually are taking it easy during the final few weeks of spring training, making arragements to head to Florida or Arizona and getting some down time before the run of 10-12 hour days from the time pitchers and catchers report to Opening Day. Not this year.
The ecomony is hitting free agency hard, and teams have sat back and waited for the market to adjust to them. So the daily calls to agents and sources continues. (Sigh)
The Twins still would like to improve at third and in the bullpen but I get the sense that the Twins are closer to getting relief help. They are interested in Brandon Lyon but I was told last week they are not one of the teams to have made this offer. If you are Brando Lyon, do you go to the Twins to set up or look to hook up with Detroit or St. Louis as a closer?
I think the Twins are really trying to land Eric Gagne. Gagne was terrible with Boston a couple years ago and for a half season with Milwaukee last year. If the Twins can sign him for $3-4 million it’s worth a shot, especially if he can pitch like he did the second half of last season. And maybe pitching coach Rick Anderson can get a little more out of him.
Here’s something to watch out for if that doesn’t work out: Chad Cordero’s agent told me that his client will throw off a mound sometime in mid-February. The Twins were one of several teams at his long toss session recently, so I expect them to show up when Cordero is ready throw a bullpen session.
That’s where we stand as baseball slowly moves back to the forefront in the Twin Cities this week.
Thursday: There’s the annual Minnesota Diamond Awards at the Marriott City Center. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan, Denard Span and other Twins will be on hand to accept awards, talk about the upcoming season and raise money for a good cause.
Friday: TwinsFest begins.
Saturday: There’s the Second Annual Last Hot Stove League Banquet, held at the Harriet Island Pavillion. Corey Koskie, Tim Tschida and others will be in attendance.
So there will be plenty of baseball talk going on this week in town. The Twins haven’t given us much to talk about - so we can talk about why the Twins haven’t given us much to talk about!
100 Responses to "The (slow) countdown to spring training"
I think we should let Brandon go to Detroit.
3-5 with a 4.70 ERA. Lion should be a Tiger.
I’m of two minds on Gagne, but it really comes down to the money. If Gagne signs a low money deal with heavy incentives, I can see it being a pretty solid signing.
However, since he is a Scott Boras client, I wonder if that type of a deal would merit any real consideration.
I guess the question is: Is the market so bad right now that Boras can’t work his dark arts to fool teams into signing his clients to exorbitant contracts?
First…Wow, didn’t think I’d ever have the honor.
It will be interesting to see how soon the Union starts making collusion accusations. One would assume that teams would be smart enough to avoid any direct evidence that they’re guilty of such practices.
Forgot to refresh…I’m a turd. Gagne…I don’t think he really fits the Twins mold, but I guess its worth a shot. I’ve gotta believe that there’s some kid in AAA or AA ball who can help without spending 3-4 mil for maybe 3 months of mediocre pen help. Wasn’t Gagne suspected of steriod use too? Don’t really need that kind of character in the club house if you ask me. Also, how did the last guy suspected/charged with substance abuse (Rincon) work out?
Only sign Gagne if he can have rincons old locker maybe there is still a little juice stashed away.
My point exactly, Bush.
All in all, I’m pretty excited to see what another year will do for this team. With Harris’ improvement after the break, one would hope he could hold that line throughout this next year. If he does, 3B problem is really a non issue. Not the best glove, but adequate. Note the best power (12-15 HR), but adequate. I really don’t see Punto hitting above .260, but should get to the balls he’s supposed to. We’d take Casilla at last years numbers. Morneau needs to hit more than 23 HR’s to warrant MVP consideration, but should bounce back a little. Outfield situation is a good problem to have. DH should be left to Kubel only. Give him his 500+ ABs and let the kid hit. Rotation is set with 3 quality guys and 2 development guys with more on the way in AAA and AA. Pen is a little weak based on what we saw last year. This year we see a couple bright spots and some injury/sugery recoveries. Gurrier was over used and suffered-bad on Gardy. Maybe he recognizes it and fixes it. In his defense, he ran out of dudes and Gurrier was really the only serviceable guy out of the pen at the time. “The time” was unfortunately most of the season. Bottom line: a young team last year with plenty of room to grow. The need for bull pen help can come from within. Save the money to sign stars after this year (Mauer, Kubel, Starting Pitchers, and Harris) to long term contracts and ride the wave to Division titles from 2010 to 2014!
Bring in Gagne and Crede.
Win Twins!
Let Koskie pitch.
LEN3-The economy is hitting free agency hard and teams are waiting for the market to adjust,you say.A lot of posters would say it’s BS’s ineptness.I would tend to believe you,but of course you have descripted by some on this blog, as a homer for BS.Who to believe!
Andrew Kneeland at twinsfix.com has a great line. He says, “This really is Bill Smith’s immediate problem: He has no idea how good his team is.”
While we would all like to see the young players have breakout years and all become All-Stars, it seems that we are not likely to see an infield signing that would make a difference. Stocking up on a half dozen extra pitchers, many of whom will be long-shots to help the team, doesn’t occur to me like a focused approach.
There is still time, but other than Jack Wilson I don’t see anyone out there available in a trade who might come in and have an impact. And much of that impact would be freeing up Punto to help relieve the other infielders.
I think when you look at the list of available free agents it’s easy to see that there’s a league-wide trend.
I mean, how in the hell is Orlando Hudson still available?
Within that, the Twins deserve some criticism for not being able to find way to add talent. There is the theory that a certain percentage of a roster should be turned over each year. So it will be interssting to see how 2009 plays out with few, if any, offseason changes.
Jack Wilson?
Jack Wilson wouldn’t have an impact other than on the payroll.
LaVelle,
25% of the final 40-man roster from last year has already been turned over.
Also the Twins are cursed by only losing three insignificant Free agents this year.
Bring in Gagne and Crede.
Win Twins!
Impact!!!!
any position players out there that the Twins are monitoring????
Any thoughts of signing Orlando Hudson to play 2nd (with Casilla moving to short, Punto to 3rd) or even 3rd base?
A lot of posters would say it’s BS’s ineptness.
Take off the tinfoil hat. The Twins aren’t the only team not exactly lapping up FAs.
Unless you count Adam Everett as a major aquisition for Detroit.
Why shouldn’t they go after Hudson at this point? Are they that confident that a) Casilla will repeat ‘08 and b) Punto is the answer at SS? Move Casilla to SS and throw Punto in the mix at 3B and as insurance for SS.
Chad Cordero would be an interesting experiment. Gagne, not quite as excited about…
Lyon is the guy I have wanted in that role since the first day of free agency, but if he chooses St.Louis or Detroit you certainly can’t blame him.
I know that he’s old, but what about Shouse? or Tom Gordon?
I like the O-Dogg idea. The guy is a gold glover, gets on base, and is consistantly productive when he’s healthy. His health is the only questionmark, he’s only played more than 142 games once in his career. The guy is a sparkplug at the top of the order.
I would love to see them put a deal together for Orlando Hudson… move Casilla to SS, and use Punto as a super sub.
Heck if they did that I would promise to not say Punterrible. Not that it matters, but hey… I’ll throw it in free of charge for Hudson, and to keep Punto out of the starting lineup.
Cordero would be worth a look, too. If healthy, the Twins would have the best set up man in the division. Gagne would be worth a try as long as you were willing to eat the risk if he blew up. I’d rather roll the dice on Cordero than Gagne, just a matter of how much Cordero will want compared to Gagne.
I know this is Twins central, but a couple of Free Agent ideas that haven’t happened just does not make sense to me.
The Brewers resigning Ben Sheets? Did some bad blood get spilled, or is it his injury history?
A team like Pittsburgh that is in danger of being the alltime worst team ever… 17 seasons in a row…
With all of the free agents out there right now Pittsburgh could make a lot of low offers, and pick up a pretty decent team.
I only mention Jack Wilson because I’ve read that the Pirates might be interested in trading him, he is signed for 2009 with a 2010 club option & he has 8 years of MLB experience at SS. The Twins have a wealth of minor league 2B but very little at SS.
As I look closer, I suppose he is not enough of an upgrade to justify his salary.
There are typically 4 kinds of teams, when it comes to signing free agents.
1) Free spenders who will agree to record-setting contracts for top-tier talent, with or without an actual “need”.
2) Those willing to pay serious money to fill significant needs.
3) Those who will wait until the big bucks claim the top talent and try to fill needs with what’s left over in the bargain bin.
4) Those that simply do not spend money on Free Agents.
The first and last groups still obviously are operating the way they do every year.
Group 2 has been very quiet. A couple of teams have been active, but not many. Whether it’s the economy or just a matter of everyone waiting to see how low the market will go, for some reason these teams have not been “buying”.
Group 3 (and this group would include the Twins, generally) isn’t going to get ahead of Group 2. They may have identified players they think they have a shot at, but aren’t going to be the ones “setting the market price”.
I won’t be a bit surprised to see a real rash of signings by teams once a couple of them start and set the market.
While the 40-man roster unavoidably changes each year, I was focusing on the major league side.
LaVelle,
“While the 40-man roster unavoidably changes each year, I was focusing on the major league side.”
I agree that the Twins haven’t been very active.
My point is that many of the most active teams, were replacing their own lost (or leaving) Free Agents.
For instance, the Yankees discarded some big salaries, before they went nuts signing new ones.
Gagne was busted for using zitty ho, oh wait I think that was Vern Gagne.
Does anyone remember the “supplements” (original steriods) that Vern Gagne used to hawk on his wrestling show?
Many of you are correct that the Harris/Buscher platoon at 3rd is probably just as good as the guys we’ve past on. A healthy Crede would be a slight upgrade, but I doubt that guy can hold up for a full season on turf.
The set-up roll needs work and Gagne is a home-run Machine. He will be BRUTAL in the dome! He’s the one that gets me: Why no talk about improving at DH. For the past four seasons we’ve had the worst DH in the league. I guess we are going with Kubel/Cuddy & Young there?
That won’t put fear in opposing pitchers unless Young’s bat wakes up and in that case he should be starting.
There are some nice FA bats out there, but it appears that position doesn’t mean anything to the TWins.
The Twins don’t need Jack Wilson because they already have a light hitting SS that is overpaid.
Hey nincompop wasn’t it VITA-SPEED? That is too funny! Thanks for bringing back a CLASSIC memory.
“Marty, Those vitamins should be banned from all of wrestling!”
I think Wilson makes like 7 million a year… which by his stats actually makes Punto a great buy
why every year do we talk about these old re treads, which are generally released by all star break? Why cant we once, especially now when there is budget room, go after one bona fide player who can really add value? Twins cheapness lives on apparently
Kubel was an above-average DH last year. If he would have gotten as many at-bats as Morneau he probably would have led the team in HRs.
Thanks for correcting Nincompop, Shookit. I think “zitty ho” is what Don Imus called those basketball players, not performance drugs.
Ziggity Hoo and Gera Speed he hawkwd with Marty O’Neil. Da Crusher just drank a lot of beer and did the polka with the dollies!
Doesn’t have anything to do with baseball but good memories.
O-Dog would allow us to move Casilla to SS & still have our uber-sub (Punto) available. Remember this and be afraid: if Punto goes down then Harris plays SS. That means Buscher will be batting against left handed hitters.
Buscher would be batting against left handed pitchers (stupid keyboard).
I have to agree with LaVelle. How is Orlando Hudson still available?The Twins aren’t even gonna make an offer? The guys a real impact player. I suppose we’d lose a precious draft pick.
Marv,
That’s by far the best argument to go hard after Hudson. Plus Harris IMHO doesn’t have near the range for our needs at SS.
Marv…
I think Tolbert would play third against lefties if Harris….I mean when Harris has to play SS.
Marv,
I love how I say that and I get ignored… you say that and it’s genius… apparently people are still pissed off at me.
Then again, in another 150 at-bats Kubel’s statistics may have done like Morneau’s and taken a Greg Luganis-like swan dive.
BC,
No slight intended. What got me was the realization that Buscher would bat against LH pitchers and Harris would be our SS if and when Punto got hurt. If you framed the problem this way somewhere I did not see it. Again, in no way was a slight intended.
BC, for whatever its worth, I’m not mad at you. Of course, I also think Hudson would not be a bad addition if only to spare the club 500 AB from Punto.
“BC.Beneke says:
January 19th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Marv,
I love how I say that and I get ignored… you say that and it’s genius… apparently people are still pissed off at me”
I know how u feel. Ala Rodney Dangerfield “I get no respect around here”.
I was being sarcastic, if people were still mad at me, I deserved it.
Hudson on this team would be a beautiful thing… if you guys haven’t already… http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/news/hot_stove/y2008/free_agent_tracker.jsp?fastatus=unsigned&subscope=pos&teamPosCode=all
that’s a list of all the available free agents according to MLB.com
I am just thinking about the Royals and Pirates, and all the needs of those teams… this particular free agency could put a huge 1st and 2nd step into fixing their problems.
If I’m Lyon and I had to choose without any additional bias, I definitely take the closing job in Detroit. Though I’m not that type of pitcher to close, you gotta take that to close, though you wouldn’t be with a winner.
Come to think of it it’s good to think we have an advantage like that. Does Lyon want to win? Or close?
Lavelle,
Any word on the Arbitration Numbers (and Team offers) for Kubel and Guerrier?
IV,
Lyon would rather close and cash big paychecks than setup and win for chump change.
I mean, how in the hell is Orlando Hudson still available?
Declining skills, some injuries, a few nasty publicized scouting reports, the fact that the second base is the easiest position to replace for most teams and he is probably asking too much for the current market.
Pedro Martinez is still available and reportedly asking for an 1 year $7 million contract. That’s a better way for the Twins to spend some money than giving Gagne a spot. The pen will be fine. The rotation is hurting. Signing Pedro would make Perkins available to be included in a packaged trade for a third baseman.
Thry -
Which third basemen are really available?
Not being a smart-a**, though I have skills in that area. What 3B players do you think we could wrest from someone?
Pedro is available and wants a one year $7 mil contract? Unbelievable. Sign Pedro and Crede and keep your fingers crossed they stay healthy. Those 2 acquisitions would push us up over the Sox, Tribe and Tigers and give us the Division title. If we stand pat with only the re-signing of Punto and Mauer or Morneau goes down, we are looking at 4th maybe 5th in the division.
All that money we saved on Hunter and Santana and the fact we haven’t signed Smith’s usual junkers like Monroe, Everett, Lamb, Guardado and Livan should give us the money to easily take both players on board.
Kevin,
This year “re-treads” are in Vogue.
Youth and growth, quite pasee’
Regards,
“This year “re-treads” are in Vogue”
Cancel our subscription!
Bob,
I’ll play your game.
Spend $25-50 mil on FA’s and they are either injured or a bust. Exciting for that adventure, AND we get to finish 3-5th as a bonus. 
Regards,
sane,
You must be “old” like me to catch that
Regards,
“You must be “old” like me to catch that”
Roger, that!
Gera Speed
and
Gera Lac
are the brands V Gagne was hawking.
I’m not an Orlando Hudson fan, and he’s still looking for too much money anyway.
His defense is severely overrated. He hasn’t had a great defensive year since 2005, and his RZR of .784 last year and .798 the year before are far from spectacular. Look at the list of MLB second basemen in RZR:
Mark Ellis - .897 (ridiculous)
Adam Kennedy - .881
Brandon Phillips - .860
Placidco Polanco - .858
Chase Utley - .839
Aaron Hill - .837
Mark Grudzielanek - .831
Brian Roberts - .829
Kelly Johnson - .826
Dustin Pedroia - .826
Felipe Lopez - .822
Jose Lopez - .821
Jeff Kent - .820
Howie Kendrick - .819
Freddy Sanchez - .818
Asdrubal Cabrera - .815
Dan Uggla - .812
Robinson Cano - .809
Rickie Weeks - .807
Mark DeRosa - .806
Ian Kinsler - .801
Alexi Casilla - .800
Kaz Matsui - .799
Alexei Ramirez - .790
Akinori Iwamura - .787
Orlando Hudson - .784
Luis Castillo - .751
Hudson hasn’t been able to crack .800 since 2005. All of his .800 OPS years have come playing in a very hitter-friendly Chase Field with the Diamondbacks.
I really don’t think he’d be anything special with the Twins, especially not with his glove, considering the turf will only make it harder on him.
Hudson won’t be worth half of what he’s paid if he lands a multi-year deal. As it stands though, he’ll probably have to settle for a one-year deal somewhere, which is good news for teams in need of a second baseman, because Hudson at $8-10MM per over 3-4 years would not be a good investment.
I think talking about him is pointless anyway though. Gardy would never move his beloved Punto from shortstop.
*Gag*
The implication at the end of my post, of course being that signing Hudson shifts Casilla to second base.
I suppose Punto could play third in that situation. Urgh. Please no.
Sigh… shifts Casilla FROM second base TO shortstop.
Man, long day at work I guess…
Which third basemen are really available?
If you look at RH batters with some pop (which is what the Twins need) and would be at least equally defensively as Buscher (not a hard feat):
Wigginton (FA)
Mora (Orioles)
Encarnacion (Reds)
Beltre, Glaus and Rolen also fit the bill but Smith would have to work harder.
Why are the Twins still being linked to Lyon?? There is no way they are going to come close to topping what people feel Lyon will get.
I cannot wait to see what Wiggy gets and how it will make my head explode when he is not a Twin by Spring Training.
How can anybody be optimistic about the upcoming season? Has any team made less moves this off season? Seriously. Anyone? And, I know the Twins will have by far the lowest payroll in our division, but what place are we in all of baseball? I guess the economic hard times has hurt the Pohlad’s $3 billion dollar fortune.
I can’t remember being more disappointed in a baseball off season. I have cancelled my “Extra Innings” package on DirecTV. I, for one, do not believe the Twins will again set major league records for hitting with runners in scoring position. Therefore, I look for a season of about 78-80 wins…maybe.
The economy will have an impact on both sides of the ledger. Clubs are being deliberate about making big money acquisitions which ultimately brings down the price tag for free agents. Yankees, of course, being the notable exception.
lyon’s numbers don’t look good from last year at all - 4.7 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 44/13 K/BB, .301 BAA, .790 OPS agaisnt. but then look at his home/away splits. lyon’s overall numbers last year were greatly inflated by chase field.
home - 29.1 IP, 7.06 ERA, 48 H, 26 Runs, 24/7 K/BB, .356 BAA
away - 30 IP, 2.40 ERA, 27 H, 8 Runs, 20/6 K/BB, .237 BAA.
those numbers are staggering. in the same amount of innings pitched, his K/BB ratio is virtually the same yet his hits, runs, era and baa are astronomically higher. i’d imagine he would be more along his away self pitching in the metrodome. but i would rather give gagne 2 or 3 million if it costs more than 2 years, 7 million for lyon.
Macleod,
HOW can one not be optimistic about the coming season?
Oops…I forgot where I am. The Strib blogs, where 88 wins, when 10-15 less were expected IS A FAILURE!!!
One can’t make this stuff up…just read until one’s brain gives up.
Regards,
“How can anybody be optimistic about the upcoming season?…..
I, for one, do not believe the Twins will again set major league records for hitting with runners in scoring position.”
This year, the Twins batters plan to drive in more runners who are NOT in scoring position, including themselves.
That happens when young hitters get older, bigger, stronger and better.
A writer wrote today that Adam Dunn could be had for five million a year (which is only 500 grand a year more than we gave LNP). Could we sign him and his forty homers annually and not let him own a glove? He was born to DH.
I don’t think we can expect the Twins to lead the majors in BA with RISP again and need a big bat. Why not sign the guy who hits the ball further than anyone else in the majors? I know he’s a lefty, but the way Justin and Joe hit
left-handed pitching, I’m not concerned with having too many left-handed hitters.
Throw Kubel into an admittedly crowded outfield, or make a deal. Seattle wants corner outfielders and pitchers. How would last year’s lineup look with the addition of Dunn and Beltre?
A writer wrote today that Adam Dunn could be had for five million a year (which is only 500 grand a year more than we gave LNP). Could we sign him and his forty homers annually and not let him own a glove? He was born to DH.
I don’t think we can expect the Twins to lead the majors in BA with RISP again and need a big bat. Why not sign the guy who hits the ball further than anyone else in the majors? I know he’s a lefty, but the way Justin and Joe hit
left-handed pitching, I’m not concerned with having too many left-handed hitters.
Throw Kubel into an admittedly crowded outfield, or make a deal. Seattle wants corner outfielders and pitchers. How would last year’s lineup look with the addition of Dunn and Beltre?
Hank,
Only one problem with your suggestion.
Dunn at $5-7 mil per year is NOT as satisfying as spending 16/64.
Sad but true.
Regards,
Hank,
How about Mauer/Morneau, Liriano/Baker & Young for Beltre?
Since 3rd base is then solved, WS here we come.
Regards,
with the market dwindling, Wiggy might be had for the same contract they were willing to give Blake now. I think they should at least try to go after him (its not like teams are ringing his agents phone off the hook). Hudson would also provide an impact, and Punto could be the super sub/insurance he was born to be. My guess is both players could be had for a combined 12-14 mill, putting us at about 70 mill on the year.
“How can anybody be optimistic about the upcoming season? Has any team made less moves this off season? Seriously. Anyone?”
1.The off season is not over.
2.Lavelle has explained the free agent situation of the off season above.
3.The youngsters should get better, Even if some plateau or regress, it’s seem likely to me that more will progress just based on experience and maturity.
If you are predicting 78-80 wins this year, what did you predict last year?
I’m very optimistic…Go Twins!
Beltre won’t come here unless Seattle pays him a chunk to waive his no trade clause, effectively increasing what we would have to give for him Boras won’t allow him to negotiate a contract extension in this economic environment. Beltre is off the table unless Smith overpays for a one year rental.
Just my opinion.
How about Mauer/Morneau, Liriano/Baker & Young for Beltre?
Since 3rd base is then solved, WS here we come
Do you have any actual content to contribute, Dragon? I realize you consider yourself the smartest poster here, but do the rest of us a favor and prove it with an original though of value once a month or so.
“prove it with an original though of value once a month or so.”
Read Dragon’s post from yesterday at 3:26 PM.
That is original enough for me.
Why even bother? There could be 7 or 7,000 free agents and Smith would still sit on his hands. He obviously has no idea how player valuations work in a free market. They use money as an excuse but the Twins have never really understood how to effectively use free agency to their advantage. When Dickey, Crain, and Guerrier are pissing away leads the first 2 months of the season Mr Smith will understand the real consequences of offseason inaction.
TN TWINS FAN 1:57 Blog is RIGHT ON!!
I think a number of them have a good chance to be better next year. Harris after a spring training at 3rd is my sleeper to really improve both ways. I also predict Delmon and Jesse Crain will have big upticks. Just my guess, but I wasn’t a kid when they came to the land of 10,000 lakes and so I’ve watched closely for a long time. I think those guys have what it takes.
Keeping the cash for Kubel, Mauer,and all the others that are now playing for minimum might be a good strategy also. SO————————
DOIN NUTTIN IS OKEYDOKEY WITH THIS FAN. Just work real hard in ST on continuing to learn the game as a team. A team us oldtimers can actually identify with from one year to the next. Unheard of in todays era. But this bunch is worth the try to keep them all together (at this point anyway.) It could be somethin special, so why not give it a shot this year. Old Time Baseball
HAVE FUN !!! GO TWINS !!!
Lartwinfan,
I LOVE the enthusiasm!!
USAF Chief,
Your kind words are greatly appreciated.
Thank You very much,
Dragon, you critizise other bloggers constantly and seem pretty smug to me.
Lovin the Chief.
Free Agents still available that could field a contending team.
CA - Varitek (Ausmus as his backup)
1B - Nomar Garciaparra/Brad Wilkerson
2B - Orlando Hudson
SS - Orlando Cabrerra
3B - Crede/Wigginton
LF - Garrett Anderson
CF - Jim Edmonds
RF - Bobby Abreu
DH - Adam Dunn
SP - Jon Garland, Ben Sheets, Andy Pettitte, Pedro Martinez, Mark Mulder, Tom Glavine
RP - Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon, Scott Shouse, Tom Gordon, Dennys Reyes
Closer - Jason Isringhausen
*I didn’t count Manny Ramierez because it’s about a done deal that he ends up back with LA
How could KC or Pittsburgh let this crop go without putting in an effort? Most of these guys will end up signing for a pittance of what they were paid the year before, and a lot of the free agents will end up signing one year, minor league-spring invite, and incentive laiden contracts with low base pay. 2009 could be a great equalizer in distributing talent throughout the major leagues inspite of the damn Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox.
Hey BC, who knows, maybe the Royals and Pirates still think the market will move lower and they can get even cheaper bargains? I’m probably giving them too much credit, but with the caliber and quantity of FA’s still left out there in mid-January, who knows how much lower the market will go?
Macleod,
I don’t think they will set a ML record for RISP, but they didn’t last year, the hit about what every other team that lead the AL in RISP.
Please name me the big free agent signing the Phillies made last off-season to put them into the WS, or the Rays for that matter. Good teams are built from within.
Free agency money does not equate directly to wins.
werbellik,
I understand, but this is a time where a team that wants to compete, and hasn’t had the opportunity in the past to do so on anywhere near an equal opportunity chance… they have it now.
Looking at the rosters, and free agents… I see both teams being able to upgrade at every single need that they have, and maybe only spending 22-30 million dollars to do it. When they actually have fans showing up for games, and players that are on short term contracts playing for the big pay days again (which the team would benefit from due to Type A and B free agent draft picks).
Clarification: other teams that lead the AL in RISP for the past 5 years.
Give me Crede and Dunn as FA signings that don’t cost you draftpicks or cause you to trade young pitching to get a power hitter or 3B. This should be a no-brainer for the Twins.
I would have to guess but 6M per year for both of them puts the Twins at about 70M for salary. Tag on some for extending Baby Jesus (too bad about the kidney deal) and you are still in line budget wise.
BFE
I like the Crede aspect.
With 5 OF’s and 4 spots… and as dirt cheap as the twins are… what do we do with two of the 5 we already have before we go sign Dunn?
kb,
how about a small fa signing by the phillies in the name of Brad Lidge. I think he helped a little in winning the division, playoff games and the W.S.
You don’t build a team with F.A., you supplement it to win a W.S., ie Jack Morris
Wally,
Brad Lidge was acquired via a trade with the Astros, and at the time was considered a “washed up” reliever who was only good during the steroid era, could no longer get hitters out and was injury prone…. sound familiar.
I agree with our point in general, but people get carried away thinking that you need to spend, spend, spend.
I would much prefer Lyon and think it’s absolutely essential they sign someone for the bull-pen
Should be your point, not our point.
“How can anybody be optimistic about the upcoming season? Has any team made less moves this off season?”
I think it was already mentioned here, but most of the teams making all these moves weren’t adding free agents, they were replacing the free agents that left.
The Twins only had something like three or four free agents this year. Out of that there was only one they were interested in re-signing and they did (Punto).
Signing Dunn is a bad idea and I don’t care how cheap he goes for. He’s a left handed hitting outfielder/DH who strikes out way too much and can’t field. Dunn would only make a crowded outfield and left handed heavy line up even more crowded and even more left handed heavy. Not only that, but you would still have Harris/Buscher at third. The guy is just not a fit.
The best fit was a right handed hitting third baseman with some pop. The best way to get one was via free agency. This year, Blake was the only decent option among FA 3rd basemen. The team tried to sign him, but his agent wouldn’t settle for less than a three year deal. I can’t fault Smith for not going for it.
The only 3rd basemen left offer little to no upgrade from what we have now. And trading for 3rd base help would mean giving up one of out top starters, plus, plus …
The best thing to do right now is forget about upgrading the infield. Anybody that would be a decent fit would cost too much in talent or is simply not available.
Sign some bullpen help and start the season with what they have. See how it works out. They may not have spent the big bucks to sign free agent help, but they also don’t have Livan, Lamb, Everett, Rincon or Bass either. In my mind that more than evens things out.
In spite of what a lot of people may think, the team - as is - is pretty solid with a tremendous amount of upside. There is no reason why they can’t make a run at the division with what they have.
If by the all-star break they are still in it and there is still a perceived hole, then trading for help is definitely in order. They could make another run at Beltre and/or any of the other names they were linked to over the winter. Chances are one of them could be had without trading off half the farm.
