Kubel agrees to a two-year deal
Posted on January 20th, 2009 – 1:35 PMBy La Velle
The Twins and outfielder/DH Jason Kubel have agreed on a two-year contract that will buy out his remaining two years of arbitration. The deal is expected to be finalized either this weekend or early next week. Terms of the agreement were not available.
Update: The deal includes a club option for the 2011 season.
One of the few things holding up the deal is Kubel passing a physical, which will happen later this week when he arrives in the Twin Cities to take part in TwinsFest. All Twins players undergo physicals during the event.
Kubel. 26, batted .272 last season with 20 homers and 78 RBI as he began to settle in as the Twins’ DH. He was the second-leading home run hitter on a team that sorely lacked power. He’s expected to be the Opening Day DH but might have to split time with other players as the Twins head into the year with four starting-caliber outfielders in Delmon Young, Carlos Gomez, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer.
The Twins have been talking with Kubel’s agents in recent weeks as both sides worked toward avoiding arbitration. Matt Guerrier is the only arbitration-eligible player left.
311 Responses to "Kubel agrees to a two-year deal"
Sweet - here’s hoping for more and not less AB’s for Kubnuts. All his numbers are headed in the right direction.
The 2008 Twins weren’t a team that “sorely lacked power” They scored the third highest number of runs in team history. Perhaps we are talking about the entertainment value of power hitters, and not about run scoring.
I hope they didn’t spend too much on Kubel, but he is a good part-time bench player, and I like him.
The 2008 Twins lacked power.
Get another power hitter in that line-up!!! Glad they signed Kubel…but Hardy or Kuzie would look good there as well!!!
Solid deal, like the option year.
La Velle,
What do you think would happen with the roster if Gagne was signed? How do they make room?
So that’s the third young player locked up in the last two years. Good. Now let’s get Mauer extended.
29th out of 30 teams in HR in 2008 sounds like sore lack of power to me. In fact it sounds like a tremendous lack of power. I like the signing. Hope he gets more ABs this year.
T,
check out Twins Geek today on Mauer extension. I think the Twins should extend Mauer but the geek makes some argument on the downside.
Some people like wins and watching runs being scored (TLC for instance), others like watching power hitters. Whatever does it for you.
Keep Kubel and his paltry .232 average away from LHP. That should be a top priority for Gardenhire. Delmon hits .300+ against LHP.
I’ll be very interested to see what the deal is, but on principle I think this was a great idea for the Twins.
Nice signing. I am glad Gardy had the patience to wait for him to develop into the player they thought. Regarding Mauer extension, they could save money. I am in the legend seats and another season ticket behind third. I cannot wait!!!
sorry, but underwhelming…. would’ve traded him and signed Pat Burrell.
I think the Twins should extend Mauer but the geek makes some argument on the downside.
A lot of that would have to do with the options the Twins feel they have at the catcher position after next year.
If any of the minor leaguers (the most probable being Wilson Ramos) has a breakthrough season, I fully anticipate that he will take Redmond’s job for 2010 and fully audition for Mauer’s. But he is a different player than Mauer, more of a power hitter that high average and OPS opposite field hitter.
On the other hand, the best solution would be a smaller extension (until 2013-2014) and letting him go when he is past his prime. It does not make sense to offer players contracts that cover them much beyond their age 31-32 seasons.
danimals,
Pat Burrell. Ha-ha. That is a funny comment. Thanks for brightening my day.
thrylos98: I see Mauer as a guy who is going to be a Twin lifer and then eventually be on the coaching staff or front office. possibly be in ownership also. the guy is too good to be true. i hope he always has a role with the Twins.
One can debate the need for power hitters all that they want but the fact remains that the Twins did and do lack power. The importance of that stat is another arguement. La Velle is right.
Tender Loving Craig: any time …
The Twins have no need for power. They just need to score the same amount of runs as years past and they should be dynamic. Kubel has to much power for these sultry Twins. The Twins sould focus more on needs like obtaining a strong utility infielder for days Punto or other players need a rest.
Joe Crede would be a great get for the Twins. He is only 30 years old, I wouldn’t worry too much about his bad back. He would for sure hit 30 hrs or more in that dome.
with Mauer I worry that the Yankees or Red Sox would give him the world if he ever became free… and i am sure he knows it also.
Joe Mauer is a solid major leaguer, but certainly not a superstar by any means.
I want to see Ty Cobb play. I want to see spikes flashing. I want to see Sal “The Barber” Maglee perform a “close shave”. I want to see blood all over the place.
Todays players are text messaging their stockbrokers. They are sissy boys, the whole lot of them.
Power hitters are not needed for the Twins to compete. They are usually slow and bulky and just get in the way on the basepaths of more quicker and wiley players such as Punto and Delmon Young
I would like to see Mauer remain a Twin for life. He is my favorite player. Not being from Minnesota I do not have any of the hometown animosity that I hear on here at times towards him. I am a twins fan first and foremost and like to see the players I enjoy watching stay with the team.
joe mauer not a superstar player? how is a great defensive catcher who not only manages a young pitching staff, but who hits .320+, 10-15 HR, 80+ RBI, scores 90+ Runs, while having an OBP of over .400 setting up morneau not a superstar player? you’re insane.
Jimmy bee, remember what Earl Weaver used to say, “the three run homer was the biggest weapon in the game.” Yes, power is just as important as speed.
joe crede wouldn’t last 2 months on the turf…
Joe Mauer is the best hitting catcher in the AL…and will be for years (on average). You NEED to sign Mauer to an extension soon, lock him up in a Twins uni, and watch him throw out baserunners, play solid defense, oh and only hit for the best average in the league. Obvious….who cares at this point what the Twins have in the minors for catchers…your future is already in a Twins uniform.
On days off I would like to see Punto take on the role of a bench coach or a 3rd base coach for the Twins. Multipurpose his talents and diversify
Anyone who thinks the Twins will hit .315 (or what ever the final number was) with RISP is going to be sorely disappointed. Twins need to add power to be able to come even close to matching last year’s runs total.
dana:
everyone likes to rag on a certain someone on the Twins, but here is something for fun (dont peek all way down):
Player X with RISP: AB BA RBI
A: 139 .245 58
B: 135 .296 50
Player A = Kubel
Player B = Gomez!!
Kubel is overated and should be a part time bench player…
jimmy bee,
I have changed my mind on Delmon. You persuaded me that they need him. I think Delmon is a volcano ready to erupt at any time. The Twins need a guy like that simmering on the bench, sitting next to Gardy. This team needs some emotion. Some volatility. Some mayhem.
“The 2008 Twins weren’t a team that “sorely lacked power” They scored the third highest number of runs in team history. Perhaps we are talking about the entertainment value of power hitters, and not about run scoring.” Hey Tender Loving Craig, please understand your baseball terminology. The Twins scored runs, you’re right, but they did not have many homeruns. It’s great to know they can hit singles, draw walks, and scratch an occasional double. But in order to do that it is nice to know that pitchers have to be careful of power. So our singles hitters do get pitches to hit and ar enot pitched around.
Steve, once Joe proves to be more durable and less injury prone he may very well rise to that elite level, but right now I wouldn’t put him in that category. Just my opinion, but yes he is one hell of a good player.
Earl Weaver was an alcoholic. I take that back. He was a drunk.
TLC I just love the idea of using Punto as a bench coach on days off. Cuddy as a 3rd base coach could also do wonders for team unity
Joe Mauer not a superstar? What, exactly, is a superstar? Great defensive catcher, calls a good game, wins batting titles. He’s right up there with the best catchers ever.
What’s the BIG deal about HRs? It runs SCORED………Twins did pretty good in that department. Doesn’t matter how runs are scored, HRs, bunts, etc. Just score runs……..
Cuddy could pinch-mascot for T.C. Bear.
Well, Mr. Stahoviak, my opinion is that the only reason Joe Mauer is not a superstar yet is the word “yet” - he hasn’t had the opportunity to sustain his production for enough years (yet) to be considered a superstar. But he’s certainly off to a good start. Two batting titles in three years could certainly be considered the road to superstardom.
As I have posted before, if I was Mauer, I would not sign an extension until I saw the Twins were making the moves to be competitive, which right now, they are not. Why would Mauer, an elite star, want to toil away on a team that at best might compete for the division championship, while the FO makes NO effort to fill in the missing pieces with solid players. I would wait and see if I could get on a team that is serious about winning.
TLC I love the the idea of scaring the opponents by having Delmon on the bench at times. The idea of having someone on the Twins who could errupt at anytime ala Milton Bradley could be a valuable and entertaining piece to the Twins puzzle.
jimmy,
Punto would be a fine coach. He would give it 100% if called on to coach.
The idea of clogging up the basepaths with fat, slow and overweight players is just as bad as clogging up your arteries with fat, slow and overweight foods.
As I have posted before, if I was Mauer I would not sign an extension until the Twins were demonstrating they were trying to be a competitive team, which so far, they are sadly lacking in. Why would an elite star like Mauer want to toil away on a team that at best competes for a divisional championship, when he could get not only bigger money, but a stronger supporting cast at other teams. The Twins need to show Mauer they are serious, by filling in some holes with solid players, rather than with retreads. So far they have not done that, and if I were Mauer, I would look elsewhere.
Hey Kevin,
We just signed Kubel to an extension…what more do you want??? (sarc)
sorry, I did not see my first post get posted so I did it again. Sorry.
Good news for a change. Now that he’s been freed and he’s rich there’s nothing to hold him back now.
I am all for a team full of slap hit singles from top to bottom of the batting order
Fantasic! Kubes was killing the ball last year and he is only going to get better.
jimmy,
I am sick of the Twins and their nice guy image. Sabathia plunks the Twins and they stand there and take it. The Twins need an enforcer or two. Guys who look like they want to kill you. Guys like Delmon.
When TLC played all he did was fight. My motto was “If you can’t beat ‘em, beat ‘em”. I had that look in my eye, just like Delmon.
TLC, you should contact the Twins and see if you can’t take Kelly Thesier’s job as resident Kool-Aid salesperson.
Slundber, isn’t that what I just said in regards to Joe Mauer?? The definition of a superstar? Well, how bout; Pujols, A Rod, Texieria, Santana, Bonds - these are all superstar type players.
TLC I know that look in the eyes. I pitched and the first thing I would do is hit the first batter I would face. This would send a message. I would feel the power as if I were Don Drysdale.
Who is willing to bet he gets less than Punto?
I would pay to see Sabathia vs. Venus Williams
TLC is Al Hrabosky “The Mad Hungarian still available to pitch these days. Dominant player. Would be a great fit for the Twins
jimmy,
Good point about clogged arteries and bases clogged by Kubel. The Twins need Delmon on the bases. He is faster and much mor dangerous than Kubel.
Kubel is a very quiet, polite, nice kid. The Twins don’t need that.
jimmy bee, you mean like a team full of Nick Puntos? Probably could be done. He plays most of the positions already. Just need to find someone make 8 clones and teach two of them to pitch and catch.
“Who is willing to bet he gets less than Punto?”
Punto is a Free Agent.
Kubel is just arbitation eligible.
NOT THE SAME!!!!!!!!
Whoa! Did the Twins just to a proactive thing to keep their young talent around? B. Smith must be learning a thing of two finally.
As I stated in a previous post–next up:
–Extend Mauer
–Sign Baker through arb years–maybe mid-year if he’s doing well. This way Baker can get a good guaranteed salary for himself while the Twins still get a good long-term deal for themselves.
Just dip down to the minors and you’ll find all the Punto clones you need.
There’s a lot of negativity about the current team, but I was wondering who in our division do you guys really think is better than us? The other day day I said that I think Cleveland is going to win 95 games. Man I must have been smoking something special. Upon further review, we should win the division by several games if we win 92 games. The division is weak again! Sure on paper we’re still not built to compete with the big boys, but if some of our young guys step up(Young,Gomez ECT.) we’ll be on par with anyone. The Twins are still waiting to reap the rewards of the seeds the sowed last year. Have patients everyone, we should have known when the Twins said they were going to go with 2 22year old outfielders that there would be some growing pains.
Kubel clogs the base paths with his slow running. Just like how rich and fatty foods do to an obese individuals arteries
We have all these guys that are extras and everyone likes them, just like when craig monroe came into the picture. Look how far we got with him. I say we get rid of Punto and Cuddyer. Everyone likes these two just because they work hard, but in the end they only had one good year with a sub par year from Punto last year. Young hit for avearage last year, and hit as many homers as Cuddy did, but young doesn’t get hurt.
even though it seems we have a starting pitching surplus, i think it would be benifical to lock up baker and the franchise while the economy is down and relatively affordable. mauer too of course.
I am happy to see some fans realize that hitting .315 with RISP is going to be very difficult again. Especially when 29 other teams hit below .300 with RISP in 2008.
Power does matter-just ask Nick Blackburn if power makes a difference when it counts.
They say the Twins try to make some sort of a splash before Twins Fest.I hope that the Kuebel signing is not the only splash they make this week(like maybe a relief pitcher or extending Mauer)
The title of this blog post should really be “Kubel signs deal for first year of free agency.”. That seems to be the news, and it’s likely going to save the club millions in 2011. Terms disclosed yet?
Geno maybe the Twins could sign Delmon to a very long extension and it would be enough to passify the true Twins fans
jimmy,
You remember when Ernie Banks move from SS to IB for the Cubs. In 2 years Punto can make that move.
Chris Cates will be ready to come up and plays SS. The question then will be, “who should bat cleanup, Punto or Cates?”. The Twins can’t afford Morneau. He is too clogging anyway.
The Twins are changing into a speed team. The Twins will beat the opposition with speed and hustle.
GENO, with the Twins, we cant be surprised if this IS what they would consider the big splash before Twins fest.
I dont know why more people on this board are not taking the Twins to task for their lack of proactivity this off season. The Strib and Pioneer Press columnist seem to be doing this, but this board seems to be full of a lot of kool aid drinkers who defend the Twins FO quite often.
This is a good signing if it’s not too expensive. But pleeeeaaaasssseee DH Delmon against lefty’s. Kubel would still get plenty of at bats.
“I dont know why more people on this board are not taking the Twins to task for their lack of proactivity this off season”
Because none of your arguments are convincing. That makes me think that Kool-Aid is brain food.
Clogging the basepaths? I notice that we have Dusty Baker on blog comments today.
TLC at 6′5 and possibly 240-50lb’s do you think in time that Mauer will also be too clogging for the Twins basepaths. His speed around the basepaths will slow down and prove to be destructive toward the team goal of speed on the basepaths. As for cleanup I would take Punto he is the slowest of our speedsters on the Twins future roster
how bout; Pujols, A Rod, Texieria, Santana, Bonds - these are all superstar type players.
One of the above does not belong to your “superstar” list. The others have won at least 2 MVP or CY awards each. The one hasn’t won one and as a matter of fact, played only in one AS game and Mauer came closer to winning an MVP than him…
who is it?
Texieria and he clogs up basepaths as well just like the 2 slowest Twins Mourneau and Mauer
HEY JIMMY BEE CHECK THIS OUT:
el bonewaa says:
January 20th, 2009 at 2:42 pm ”
“I would pay to see Sabathia vs. Venus Williams”
Oh Yeah? Her sister is tougher:
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/serena-williams-nude-photo-posted-13417
MudCat the filter on my computer will not allow me to see a pic of Delmon in drag
My prediction is 29 homeruns for Kubes and becasue he hits behind Morneau 98 RBI. Kubes will outplay this contract, whatever the terms.
as for Joe Mauer being a superstar…..
does anyone recall his last AB this season, in game #163? he bunted. the AL batting champ deferred to lay down a bunt in his last AB of the season.
that’s when you knew the game was OVER. if mauer doesn’t even think he can get a hit, what kind of message does that send to the rest of the lineup?
It really is a shame that a couple of people can make these blogs almost impossible to read…
If you like Hunter you should like Kubel. Check out their 2008 stats. They are mirror-like. Good move by the Twins.
Mighty Casey,
If you think that everyone who bunts for a hit “doesn’t even think he can get a hit”, then no wonder Mighty Casey struck out!
Mighty Casey…
I think it’s safe to say that I rip the Twins players, coaches, management, and ownership as much as anyone.
Joe Mauer is a superstar… he’s a weak-sister slap hitting dress wearing superstar, but he has 2 batting titles as a catcher, and he’s dated atleast one miss Universe level hot kind of lady… and he has national name recognition unlike 90% of the players in the midwest in general. When a Twin starts an allstar game… that pretty much means he has to be at superstar level (exception being Torii Hunter who was a ESPN hero who had a great 1st half one year).
That Mauer bunt was pretty pathetic.
Not as pathetic as Cuddyer getting gunned down at home by Ken Griffey Jr.
I mean if we define Jeter as a supserstar… Mauer has to be a superstar. Neither one can really put the ball over the fence. Both are more worried about their looks than their RBI’s… and both are home town picks that panned out well for the team giving them celeb cred in and of themselves.
And if you want to give me the grief about Jeter’s rings… How many has he won since Paul O’Neill retired? How many has he won since they treated Bernie Williams without class? How many have they signed since they started paying 200 plus million a year in salary?
Nope, I think that Mauer is more of a superstar than Jeter… and I still think that Mauer is a weak sister singles hitter that belongs in the 2 hole. Men have power, little boys settle for singles. Mauer puts the sideburns on one side a time because he’s a slap hitter like that.
“The Twins aren’t doing anything…the Twins aren’t doing anything!”
*Twins sign Punto.
*Twins sign Kubel.
“Uh…uh….Twins aren’t doing anything I want them to!”
That sums up about 90% of comments made this offseason.
i love small ball as much as the next guy, but mauer bunting in that spot is inexcusable.
TLC, how can you possibly compare Punto with Ernie Banks? Mr Cub had a sweet homerun stroke with powerful wrists similar to Hank Aaron. He moved to first when his knees got bad after 2 MVP 40+ Hr seasons. If his knees would have held up, he would have hit 600, instead of the 512 HRs he retired with. Punto couldn’t 40 HRS in a season on XBOX 360. LOL
B.C. Beneke:
You need to retract that statement about Mauer. She’s an EX girlfriend:
http://www.barstoolsports.com/randomthoughts/2007/05/14/win_date_with_joe_mauer/
“Mauer is a weak sister singles hitter that belongs in the 2 hole.”
Where did Carew hit in lineups because he was a weak sister slapping hitter as well. BC you forgot that they are both limp wristed as well
Hopefully this means Kubel will get some clutch hits and drive in some clutch runs in late innings of games. He didn’t do much of either last season, even with 20 homers and 78 RBIs.
I like the signing but I agree Kubes should primarily hit vs righties. DH Delmon vs lefties and play Cuddy in RF with Kubel on the bench and Span in LF. Cuddy is better defensively then DY but Gardy could certainly split time with them.
Anyone who questions Mauer’s manhood needs to be an MLB catcher for 140-150 games per season.
Then YOUR testosterone deficiency will be obvious to everyone…especially to you.
But sy some of these guys played 12 games of little league baseball when they were young so they should know.
mauer should be traded now to the red sox who are in real need of a catcher so we can restock our prospects. it’s not fair to him to play here he could play in boston where he’d have a chance to win a ws.
Ironically, the only thing that may separate Mauer from being a superstar is that he does not have the swinging, playboy, in the gossip mag lifestyle that people like Jeter or Tom Brady do. However, in my mind, that makes him a bigger superstar. Its nice to have a young athlete with that much talent seem to keep his head, and while he may be enjoying the fruits of his success in private, his public personae is a well adjusted humble star athlete who we can feel good about having our kids looking up to.
I never stop laughing at people calling Mauer a slap single hitter. He had the 7th highest number of extra base hits of all MLB catchers. No dingers though, so I guess they don’t count.
Gobbeledygook, I agree. We traded KG to a Boston team where he was able to win a title, Moss wound up in Boston and fell just short of a title. If the Twins arent going to surround Mauer and Morneau with an adequate supporting cast, I dont want to see him go, but I do want to see an athlete of his caliber and humility be able to win.
What sounds better “Puchin Judy” type hitter or “Sister Slappy”?
Message from Craig: For what it’s worth, I do like Punto more than you.
Signed,
The Nitwit
gobbledy,
If we get Beckett, Dice-K, Papelbon, Pedroia and Youk, make that trade.
See if we can get KG, Randy Moss and Big Papi back, also.
Jimmybee…
Carew was a little before my time. My first Twins game was his last twins game… I believe he batted 2nd that game. I still have the scoresheet for it somewhere. I was 6 years old when he left. I am sure one of the stat gurus can get that.
AND PEOPLE I WAS JUST JOKING… kind of poking fun of myself for being so negative. I actually tried to defend Mauer for the first time in my life. Sorry I am not very good at it.
I got the Weak sister slap hitter comment from an old coach of mine in jr. high summer ball. He was a terrible coach, but he had some great lines… it didn’t help that he was drunk a fair amount of the time, but where he got it from I’m not sure… I can’t take credit nor am I sure I would want to.
In both 1975 and 1977 Rod Carew known for his slap like hitting approach hit 14 HR’s in each of those years. Joe Mauer has never amassed 14 HR’s in one season in his whole career.
The Twins hit 111 HR in 2008. The White Sox hit 235.
The Twins scored 829 Runs (5.09 per game). The White Sox 811 (4.98 per game).
Unfortunately, without Santana and Garza, the Twins pitching was not as good as the White Sox.
The 08′ Twins most definitely lacked power. We might have scored the 3rd most runs in the AL but this was mostly do to our insane avg with RISP. We simply cannot count on an inflated RISP number again. Getting more power production will mitigate most of the drop in run production we are likely to see this year.
as for ex or current… that isn’t important on Mauer’s girlfriend… the fact is that he has had a girlfriend of international beauty-fame level… and that helps make someone famous…
But seriously… if I was a coach and I had one hitter in baseball that I could choose to ask a question to about how to help the kids hit better it would be Joe Mauer above any other player… and that is with all seriousness. I will rip him for his place in the lineup (and not feeling comfy in the 2 spot), but I will always respect that he is a great contact hitter which is what you want to teach every kid to do.
So anyone who thinks I seriously hate Mauer… they have it wrong… I can’t stand the Mauer love fest… not Mauer the person, and I don’t like Mauer the 3 hitter.
we do need a power hitter. We never are going to match the Sox for team homers. But we need another guy who can win a game in one swing. You will recall that was the difference in the one game playoff with the whities, thome jacked one and we didnt
Mauer is a great hitter and a great player. End of discussion.
Hey La Velle, you hear anything on Gagne or Lyon today?
Thanks
Joe
tender loving craig…
But in the end we lost in game 163 because Jim Thome hit a home run, and our hitters couldn’t.
In a critical situation like the playoffs, you can’t always hope to string 2-3-4 or more hits in a row like you can over the course of 162 games. A home run is the great equalizer… one mistake… one run. Morneau is the only real guy capable of making a team pay on a mistake pitch… and he is being pushed not to do it… so you and I will disagree.
The Twins need another power hitter in most people’s minds, and while I hate to be a part of the majority most of the time… today is a great day to be a part of the majority!
Kevin actually we needed for Gardenhire to make the logical choice and to walk Thome thus causing him to slow down and clog up the basepaths so anyone behind him (Thome) would have been slowed down on the basepaths as well. Thome is a known Twins killer and we (The Twins) knew he (Thome) would be swinging for the fences
Couple Points from reading through the posts:
1) Mauer isn’t a legitimate “star” because he plays in Minnesota. I’m OK with him being our little secret, however. Two years in a market like Boston or New York and you’d see his mug, and stats, continue to rise! The Twins need to offer him an extension after next season. They need to use the thrill of playing in the new stadium before we technically get there to lock him down until he’s 33+.
2) Kubel for two years is a good sign. Everyone seems to agree he’s starting to regain and live into some of the potential he’s had since coming up through the minors. I’d be very happy with a .280, 20-25HR, 85RBI+ DH on this team for the next 2-3 years. Anything over 6 million a year (unless its the option year) and they Twins overpaid.
The Twins might score more runs in 2009.
They won’t start 2009 with that awful 2008 starting infield of Harris (2B), Lamb(3B) and Everett(SS).
Also, Casilla, Span and Busher will be there from the start.
Delmon, if he sticks around, will certainly be better than the awful Craig Monroe, in the role of covering up Kubel’s inadequacies.
The Twins hit well with runners on, because of their approach at the plate. Tom Kelly started the idea of not trying to do too much. The Twins also have some very talented hitters.
Keep Kubel and Busher away from LHP, and the Twins will score plenty of runs.
Everyone whose so down on this team needs to take a deep breath and realize:
1. We have five solid starters.
2. One of the games best closers.
3. The AL batting champ and the games best catcher.
4. An MVP first baseman
5. Three 20+ homerun guys in the lineup.
6. Speed and defense.
Sure we’ve got some holes but so does everyone else.
And as for all this nonsense about Mauer — he’s the best catcher in the game today. Period. All time? Time will tell.
TLC, they might score plenty of runs, but you can be assured they’d score a bunch more if they were driving in those runs with homers.
Yeah Beneke,
That’s the proof for your HR theory? One game? You have to do better than that.
Anybody here heard anything about the possibility of teams asking Orlando Hudson to switch from 2b to SS? He’s got pretty decent numbers for a guy who is still unsigned this late into the winter. I did come across an A’s blog which considers the idea, but for some reason this blog kicks me into moderation when I try to link it. Anyway, I haven’t given up hope the Twins will do something about the left side of the IF. Neyer had an article a few days ago wondering why this guy was still unsigned. Anybody considered this at all?
Craig…
I don’t care if the Twins score 10,000 runs… if we lose 1-0 in a game that matters at the end of the season because they have a lineup of power hitters and we don’t… the runs don’t matter for squat. Look at how many times the Twins were shut out over the last 3 years… that was my big Vavra complaint… I was wrong… it wasn’t Vavra’s fault… it was the team’s lack of power that causes a team to get shutout so often!
jimmy bee, I dont disagee on Gardy not walking Thome. But still, the Twins need a guy ohter than Morneau who can win a game in one swing
“And as for all this nonsense about Mauer — he’s the best catcher in the game today. Period. All time? Time will tell.”
I love your enthusiasm but I have two words for you.
1. Bench
2. Piazza
Who are the three 20-HR guys in the lineup?
Justin
Apparently some really bad reports on his defensive range have helped keep Hudson on the back burner… he also has some health questions, and from everything I can remember in the 30 plus years I’ve been watching baseball… people at SS end up at 2nd, or 3rd… 2nd basemen don’t go to SS. This is going to be the case especially if the reports are anywhere near valid.
DAMN IT WALTER!
I was just about to ask…
Morneau is the only legit one…
I am guessing he means Cuddy who did it once, and Kubel who did it once????
WALTER!!!
I was just about to ask…
Morneau is the only legit one…
I am guessing he means Cuddy who did it once, and Kubel who did it once????
let me post it that time….
let me post it that time….
morneau, kubel, cuddyer (if healthy) are the three 20 HR guys. i think mauer will reach 15 this year and delmon could hit anywhere from 5 - 35.
Apparently the strib screwups on here are happening again.
I just got Aaron’s info in my box.
Guess What? I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is . . .
MORE KUBEL!
So Beneke, how do you draw the conclusion that the Twins haven’t advanced in the playoffs because of a lack of HR power?
That sounds like one half baked theory. You drew a conclusion, but offered no logic.
Jimmy Bee:
What’s your point. I said Mauer was the best in the game today. Bench and Piazza? Who do they play for?
As for the future, I left that question open.
When the Strib filed bankruptcy they listed this blog as an asset. The judge however, ruled that something so cheap, poorly run and technically ridiculous, could only be considered liability.
ABs per HR, career:
Morneau - 20
Kubel - 27
Cuddyer - 31
Mauer - 46
Harris - 48
Young - 51
I lined the bottom of my bird’s cage with the Star Tribune, and my bird cacked.
The Strib called and offered me 2 free weeks of the paper. I told them if they delivered it to my door, I would call the police.
It’s a rude insult to anyone who hasn’t been laid off by the Strib. How can they treat people like that, keeping them on and all?
ABs per HR, 2007-08:
Morneau - 22
Kubel - 27
Cuddyer - 42
Harris - 50
Young - 53
Mauer - 59
Craig…Runs do not mean power…The Twins lacked power…Think about how many the COULD have scored with another big power hitter??
“The Twins aren’t doing anything…the Twins aren’t doing anything!”
*Twins sign Punto.
*Twins sign Kubel.
“Uh…uh….Twins aren’t doing anything I want them to!”
Explain to us, T, how signing Punto and Kubel makes the 2009 Twins different, or better, than the 2008 Twins.
By the way, just for the record, as someone mentions above this signing of Kubel only adds a team option for 2011. Kubel was going to be with the team if they wanted him in 2009 and 2010 anyway. He has two arb years left.
Hopefully this means Kubel will get some clutch hits and drive in some clutch runs in late innings of games. He didn’t do much of either last season
2008 numbers, close and late:
Kubel: .313/.409/.513
Morneau:.286/.345/.457
Mauer:.318/.429/.553
he actually did
“Uh…uh….Twins aren’t doing anything I want them to!”
That sums up about 90% of comments made this offseason.
Thankfully you’re providing some refreshingly original commentary.
Oh wait…
I like this deal much better with a club option than w/o one. Otherwise they are just locking in his pre-arb price. Good signing, assuming it isn’t stoooopid money.
t98,
What would Morneau’s numbers be if you took out September?
Re Kubel and LHP:
against LHP, 2008:
Kubel .232/.330/.374 .704 OPS
Cuddaver .250/.370/.324 .694 OPS
a wash.
wj,
too much work 
What would Morneau’s numbers be if you took out September?
What would every player’s numbers look like if you took out their worst month?
“What would every player’s numbers look like if you took out their worst month?”
Punto’s would be about the same…
Rob,
How many?
Punto’s would be about the same…
Post of the month, so far.
Kudos, sir, mucho kudos grande!
Interesting (to me) the r/hr ratio in the AL in 2008. Not quite linear but close. Looks like increasing hr’s does not necessarily correlate with increased runs:
Team: r/hr/r per hr
Whitesox: 811/235/3.45
Detroit: 821/200/4.11
Texas: 901/194/4.64
Tampa: 774/180/4.3
Yankees: 789/180/4.38
Boston: 845/173/4.88
Baltimore: 782/172/4.55
Cleveland: 805/171/4.71
LA Angels: 765/159/4.81
Toronto: 714/126/5.67
Oakland: 646/125/5.17
Seattle: 671/124/5.41
KC Royals: 691/120/5.76
TWINS: 829/111/7.47
Regards,
Buscher:
246 AB vs. RHP(’08) .297 .354 .411
Harris:
142 AB vs. LHP(’07) .345 .411 .486
Bush-Hair may be the best hitting third baseman in the division in 2009.
Kubel will be a good acquisition if he doesn’t get hurt.
“Think about how many they COULD have scored with another big power hitter??”
If that guy replaces a higher OPS, higher RISP hitter in the lineup, then I think:
NOT MANY, IF ANY!
Thanks for the info, big lizard.
Check out how batting average and OBP correlates to runs scored. Much closer than HR.
If a player hits for high AVG, he will have a high OBP. That’s how runs are generated.
Home runs, like stolen bases are nice to have, but their correlation with total runs scored is very weak.
Everyone should know that.
craig-I’ve been sober for twenty years now.But reading your tirades is enough to drive one back to drink!
why does my “comment name” say OwNowBrownCow and an email address for someone @smumn.edu?
yay now if only we can get kubel some at bats this year.. hopefully we can bring in a 3B and SS too..
Perhaps someone could show me where a team that led the league in AVG. was NOT one of the leading teams in runs scored. I’d like to see it.
sane,
Playing around a bit more:
Last year the Twins scored .36 runs per hit or walk. Other high hr or high runs scored team were at .34+
Not sure if that is a huge difference or not.
Regards,
GENO,
Don’t do it. Stay on the wagon.
When I am drunk, I am the nicest guy in the world. Sober, I am a rattlesnake. I am the one who needs the drink.
TLC,
Have a drink dude.
Home runs won’t guarantee more runs-but the do help teams when a clutch hit is needed (see Thome, 2008 or Boone, 2003).
The Twins clearly showed they had NOTHING in game 163 when they had Mauer bunt and then Cuddyer try for home on a shallow fly ball. Then seeing the Sox get would ended up being the game winning run with one swing of the bat was crushing.
However, wouldn’t it be nice to see another legit power guy other than Morneau come up to the plate the bases loaded? Instead of thinking here comes another inning ending double play we could think that one swing of the bat could give the Twins 4 runs.
If Maurer isn’t a superstar then neither was Rod Carew. Great hitter, great in the clutch, great defensively, 2 time batting champ, local boy. What more do you want. Please Billy Smith, start the negotiations now to get Joe locked up for the next 7 or 8 years.
Shaun,
There are a ton of examples where a string of hits beats a power team waiting for a HR.
Regular season, playoffs, whatever!
One (or two) examples of the reverse situation proves nothing conclusive.
Runs are more important than homeruns, Thome be damned!
Too often we talk as if it is one or the other: home runs or singles and average hitters. The best teams usually have a balance that includes osme of both. What is that balance and do the Twins have enough of each? Those to me are the real questions. I come down on the side of adding one more home run hitter (legitimate 30+) but I do not know that any are available. I don not think the twins are far off but could do to protect Morneau a little more and would benefit by a little more pop. Maybe Young will be that man.
A lot of things go into winning a baseball game. But the two bottom lines are:
on offense, score runs
on defense, keep your opponent from scoring runs
HOW the runs are scored is at the managements discretion. Given the financial constraints of the Twins they do pretty dang good. HR hitters are not cheap. The Twins are. Also HR hitters, from my observation point, tend to have big egos. This would seem to be the antithesis of the “Twins way”.
TLC - Please stop. Didn’t the 1-game playoff with the Sox show you the value of having power? Sometimes having a guy that can drive it out is important (see Jim Thome). Having just one of those guys (Morneau) means that guy gets pitched around in that situation.
Thankfully you’re providing some refreshingly original commentary.
Oh wait…
It’s hard to provide anything new or fresh when every other comment just spirals down the same three paths (Punto sucks, FO is stupid, ownership is cheap)
Or, the FO is always right, or the twins were high in runs scored last year, or Punto wasn’t as bad as you all say….there are two sides to those coins….
As for runs scored, and how the Twins do historically this decade (as in, any one year could be an aberration):
2000- 2nd to last in the AL (13th)
2001 - 8th (of 14)
2002 - 9th
2003 - 6th
2004 - 10th
2005 - last
2006 - 8th
2007 - 12th
2008 - 3rd
All in all, not that impressive, frankly. Right around the middle, except one really good year and two or three really bad years.
We STILL need a third baseman who can hit…Is Cuddyear going to play third? NO…He can’t do it…There are only 3 spots in the outfield last time I looked. Get rid of Delman Young for a relief pitcher and trade for Andrian Beltre from the Mariners at third base. It will cost some $$ but come on the payroll is so low there is room to make these moves. I am so sick of the Twins signing has beens and hoping they pan out. GUESS WHAT they never pan out!!!
Get rid of Delmon Young and Jason Kubel both can’t field to play the OF or hit good enough to play DH.
T,
Thanks for trashing all the bloggers.
If you don’t appreciate the dialog go away.
Wally:
Dialogue is an exchange of views that is generally accomplished in a respectful way. “T” critiques the tenor of the blog. Good for him. Perhaps we should listen, or learn. Including you sir.
“T”: Continue to speak your mind. As far as I can recall, you do so clearly but with class.
Now, as for Kubel……ho hum……how many days until pitchers and catchers? Anybody?
T does not exchange views, he is a troll.
T, you really need to get a life. All you ever do is quote someone else, then comment on that quote, as if you’re the guru of all gurus. The truth is, my friend, you’re an idiot that can’t form an original thought yourself, thus you must comment on others comments. And if you actually read most of the comments, you’re realize they have very little to do with your three comment rule.
“T is an idiot in baseball guru guise.”
What a great point by an astute poster.
Any chance the twins sign Crede? We need a power hitter bad……….
T… I had some great ideas yesterday that were baseball related, and not really Twins related, and they were mostly ignored either due to my reputation, or because I ventured outside the box… so when one ventures outside the box and gets no response it leads to more of the same ole same ole…
MDB -
I would say that the chances are about 10-15%.
If he’s 100% healthy more teams will be interested, and other teams are more likely to give him the payday that he wants… and if he’s not 100% healthy the Twins will most likely not put an offer on a questionmark… they don’t take chances on injury… just like to play Jesus with resurection cases like Tony Batista… Only problem is that Baby Jesus is the catcher, and not the savior of this team… and we end up cutting the corpses of careers long dead about half way through the season.
Lala72 -
“All you ever do is quote someone else, then comment on that quote”
Isn’t that the PURPOSE of a blog? To comment on what others have written?
For a common reader of these blogs, like T is, the arguments really do boil down to the same arguments again and again. People complain about 3 main things - the front office, Nick Punto, and lack of spending. T is pointing out that he feels the Twins have done things this offseason - including resigning Nick Punto and buying out the first year of Kubel’s free agency, if they choose. USAFChief doesn’t feel like those are moves at all, and responded. It’s how the message boards work.
Of couse this team could use some upgrades…every team blog calls for the same. The 5 Starters could all win 15 games. The runs will be there. Play Ball!!!
“People complain about 3 main things - the front office, Nick Punto, and lack of spending.”
You missed one.
People on here also spend time complaining about T, BC, Jason, and mostly (New and Improved/Tender Loving/no prefex) Craig.
take a look at the participants in the last 10 world series. how many of them hit 111 homers during the regular season? stats don’t lie and they show that teams that make it to the world series hit quite a few more homers than the twins did last year. a right handed hitter with some pop is sorely needed to take the pressure off our mvp, justin morneau
Hardy will be a Twin in the next 7-10 days. You heard it here first.
“stats don’t lie and they show that teams that make it to the world series hit quite a few more homers than the twins did last year.”
Actually almost every team hit quite a few more homers than the Twins did last year. Doesn’t mean you need to hit home runs to win.
RYAN:
There’s no problems with T, BC, and Jason, but you should read Howard Sinker’s Blog today. That Ever Lovin’ Craig dude is really out there! ! !
People lose sight of the importance of pitching, kilometer. They also pay too much attention to HR’s as opposed to other more important indicators of team offensive prowess like OPS. If we can pitch and play defense, and also field a lineup that drives the other team crazy because of tough outs, great baserunning, and consistent performance throughout the rotation, we will continue to drive Ozzie and every other manager nuts.
Some bloggers act as if most of their deep thoughts about what ails the Twins are completely lost on the intellectually inferior Twins staff. Thank you for being there to guide these poor imbeciles, kids.
peted - did the twins win the world series last year? how about the division?
Andy-
News flash- Craig is satire.
There is no Craig, there is someone out there with a good sense of humor that has created a bunt-loving/ power-hitter hating character to exaggerate the rubitity of some of our fellow fans. (See the people that would yell “Lewwww” even in 2007).
As for the rest, I have had disagreements, but I have no problem with the crew I listed- but others seem to.
I love good satire, Ryan. The Holacaust and Obama comments fooled me.
I think the arguement is getting messed up here. And for what it matters… I normally don’t care one way or the other when people start commenting on what I say. It’s when they take it personal against me… and as for T… I don’t agree with him as often as some, and sometimes his posts annoy me, but I really think that the people calling for his head and going after him really need to grow up.
People should always be entitled to their opinions, and when it comes to this page… it’s about sports… when it becomes personal I get a little angry… so I am sticking up for T on this one…
I generally don’t read Sinker’s blog… so I didn’t see comments.
But when he (or she) comments about the looming decision of who will bat cleanup for the Twins: Nick Punto or Chris Cates (all 5′3″ of him) it is clearly satire.
The fact that fans that spend their money on Twins tickets, baseball cards, jerseys, hats, and whatever other swag they can get… and that these same fans are spending their personal time voicing their opinions on what they would like with the team I believe have earned that right. This is sports, this is baseball, and people have been voicing their opinion since long before Ty Cobb pistol whipped a fan to death for jeering him… and fans commenting on the ridiculous demands of players, the cheapness of owners, praising their favorite players, and bashing their least favorites… and complete bashing of rivals is one of the fundemental elements of fandom…
So for T to be disgusted by it kind of seems cliched, but if you don’t like his style of typing… mine, or anyone else’s, and you can’t interject your own ideas on what’s best for the team instead of what’s worst about those of us who are here day in and day out showing our love of baseball and the Twins in whatever forms we choose… please feel free to visit me at my page so I can tell you exactly what I think of you. http://www.myspace.com/expression451 believe me, I won’t spare a word, and if you need it translated I can do that in 4-5 languages for you… but here… stick to commenting however you want on the team, the players, the coaches, management or the owners… but stay the hell away from the posters.
I will however say that the “craig” personality is more annoying than Dan Cole, but even that can be taken in small doses…
Two batting titles. In the American League. Not a superstar yet? That’s sheer insanity. He’s one of the best hitters in the game already - just because he doesn’t jack bombs all the time …
bg
“did the twins win the world series last year? how about the division?”
No, they did not. They did qualify for a 1 game playoff for the division, which is more than all but 4 teams in the AL did.
But I’m sure that won’t suffice. So let’s look at it this way.
In 2008 the White Sox led the American League in home runs. They did not win the World Series.
In 2007 the New York Yankees led the American League in home runs. They did not win the World Series.
2006 - White Sox, didn’t win.
2005 - Rangers, didn’t win.
2004 - Yankees AND White Sox, neither won.
2003 - Rangers, didn’t win.
2002 - Rangers, didn’t win. In fact, this is the year that the Angels won the World Series, despite only hitting 152 homers - fewer than all but 7 MLB teams.
2001 - Rangers, didn’t win.
And so on and so on. Every year 29 teams do not win the World Series. The Twins not winning the World Series this year really doesn’t prove that you need home run hitters to win. In fact, given that the Twins have been to the playoffs so often in the past 8 years or so without having a lot of home run hitters should show you that you can win without home run hitters. There are three aspects to any ball game - hitting, pitching, and defense. If you are strong enough in pitching and defense, you can overcome an average hitting team.
There is a new technique for avoiding posters that disgust you.
Its called SCROLLING DOWN!
peted - you got to understand that nobody is asking for us to lead the league in homers, but we can’t be at the bottom and expect to be w.s. champs. Again, check the world series champs the past ten years and tell me how many teams that are at the bottom in homers even made it there, let alone win it. again these stats don’t lie. don’t go pulling out stats of teams that didn’t win the w.s. just concentrate on the winners and you’ll see a trend of balanced teams that do many good things,including hitting quite a few more hr’s than 111. Homers ain’t everything but they are still a part of a balanced attack that has worked for champion teams the last 10 or so seasons.
bg,
How many teams won the World Series
that were last in pitching, batting average, OBP, OPS, fielding or anything?
Didn’t the SF Giants have 17 fewer HR’s than the Twins did last year?
So the Twins WEREN’T last in anything significant last year.
And they likely won’t be last in anything significant this year.
So do they still have a chance to win the World series?
…although I will say there’s a good chance there is one stat that maybe does lie, that being risp batting averages of over .300. hard to imagine that will happen again anytime soon.
sid - I guess my terminology of at the bottom wasn’t to mean dead last, but very close to the bottom. in answer to your question, I think the current lineup as is has a very small chance to win the w.s. I think one or two changes, including another right handed bat that opposing pitchers at least have a little fear of facing, would increase the chances greatly.
bg,
Agreed.
The Twins will have to improve in other areas to compensate for the expected drop in RISP BA.
Here’s a new suggested metric for future statistical analysis: SuckRatio, or, (SuRa). Now, to determine SuRa, we have to account for each boneheaded fielding, batting, running, or pitching play. Qualifying plays would be things like any Carlos Gomez swing, sliding into base but stopping b4 your feet touch the bag, swinging so hard, and missing, that the batter herniates groin muscle, bouncing ground balls that roll between legs and under gloves, throws that ignore the cutoff man, throws that ignore physics and end up 180 degrees distant from the intended target, fastballs on a flat plane that regularly whose trajectories end in the upper deck, etec… etc…I am sure we could all think of many more qualifying instances for SuRa.
From that, we take the total mean # of SuRa for each player, and divide by SuRa opportunities, so that the stat is weighted by opportunities to suck. This would be SuRaWAvg(sura wieghted average). For comparison stats, we would need to divide opportunities by 9innings, hence SuRa9, and finally, develop a regression model to accomodate league avg for SuRa rankings (SuRaLAvgper position). In this way, management will have a tool to concisely and effectively counteract less than authentic negotiation ploys on the part of agents and players. And, as an added bonus, Twins front office folks would finally see the light on such luminaries as Adam Everett, Mike Lamb, Tony Bautista….well, you get the gist of it. As a final comment, I would only add that fans should have protection from excessive SuRa avg’s by securing class action rights in the next CBA. That way, fans could file suits for proportionate refunds of the cost of tickets and refreshments based on high team or individual SuRa rankings. Such class actions could of course include but not be limited to secondary damages for infliction of emotional distress. This could really be a whole new area of metric analysis. Where’s Bill James?
There has to be somebody in the farm system that is a better option than Gagne! Everyone keeps bringing up loosing a one game playoff to the W-Sox, I think they lost the division in Chicago loosing 4 straight in mid summer.
TJW5252 - your post at 4:26
Guess What? I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is . . .
MORE KUBEL!
Best line ever !!!
A few things:
First, lol LEN at your response to he who shall not be addressed in any manor.
Second, yay, the Twins did something…even if it wasn’t anything.
Third, this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=li-clear011409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
…Interesting. Maybe we Could…I know we willn’t, but still…
OMG!!! THE WOLVES ARE SLOWLY RETURNING TO RELEVANCE…NOT PROMINENCE, BUT RELEVANCE!!!
ATTENTION LA VELLE E. NEAL THE THIRD!!!
Sorry, wanted to get your attention. Can you PLEASE!, PLEASE!, PLEASE!, PLEASE! talk to someone who knows someone who knows someone, etc., who can fix the scoarboard on the TV for Wolves games? I can barely read it, it’s so small. I know this is a baseball blog, but I thought maybe you could at least mention it. That scoarboard REALLY sucks…
How to Score More Runs Despite Anticipated Decrease in Batting Average with Runners in Scoring Position (BA w/RISP)
1) Increase the Number of Runners That Reach 1B
A) Better strike zone discipline
B) Increase OBP
C) Increase BA WITHOUT RISP
2) Increase Number of Runners in Scoring Position (#RISP)
A) See #1
B) Steal 2B more often and more efficiently
C) Better execution of Sacrifice Bunt (1B to 2B)
3) Advance More Runners to 3B with no outs
A) See #1 and #2
B) Better execution of Hit & Run
C) Steal 3B more often and more efficiently
D) Better execution of Sacrifice Bunt (2B to 3B)
E) Better execution hitting behind runner on 2B with no outs
4) Drive in More Runners from 1B.
A) Maturity and Weight Training to Increase strength (& SLG)
B) Lengthen swing with runner on 1B and two out.
RESULT
Increase in NUMBER OF Runners in Scoring Position;
PLUS
Increase in Number of Runners at 3B with 0-1 outs;
MORE THAN COMPENSATES FOR ANTICIPATED DECREASE IN BA w/ RISP.
Jeeze!
All that and sid gets the credit.
That was my post at 7:58.
“sane says:
January 20th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
There is a new technique for avoiding posters that disgust you.
Its called SCROLLING DOWN!”
I tip my hat to this new concept sane
HERE’S A QUESTION FOR YOU:
WHO IS DUMBER SOME OF THE POSTERS ON THIS BLOG, OR THE TWIN’S FRONT OFFICE?
ANSWER: Tie.
Giving Kubel $3.5 a year is good move???
Gardy and the Twins have overated this kid for years and now you’re going to pay him $$$ and lock him up. He should be the first guy on this roster to go!
If you really think it is good idea to have ANOTHER left handed bat at DH that is a liability in the field why not just sign Adam Dunn. He could be had for $5-mill a year. Last I checked he’s hit 40 HR and 95+ RBI every year. Kubel WILL NEVER DO THAT!
Yesterday, On MLB XM-Sirus Radio Eric Gagne was voted WORST RELIEF PITCHER OF 2008
I think it was TwinsGeek within the past week posted an article discussing the liklihood that (despite Gardy’s comments earlier) Gomez would likely start in AAA to slow down his arbitration eligbility.
While I like Gomez in the OF, and think he, Span, and Casilla bring an interesting dynamic to the lineup…I wouldn’t be adverse to this decision.
It would put Young, Span, and Cuddyer in the OF to start the season, and give the Twins an opportunity to evaluate both Young and Cuddyer at the same time. Given his 08 performance, the leadoff (and an OF position) are Span’s to lose.
Gomez still has to prove he can develop some patience, Young has to show he can get his power back, and Cuddyer has to prove he can stay healthy.
Starting the season with Cuddyer in an everyday OF spot may not be a popular decision, but it’s the best way to get he and Young both evaluated in a reasonable amount of time.
Which ever doesn’t appear to “work” best will hopefully still perform well enough to be of value in trade.
The only confusing part will be the OF shuffle once they’ve decided who’s the odd man out between Gomez/Young/Cuddyer.
As far as Kubel goes. There’s no longer a need to consider him a 5th OF. If he’s being signed it should be as an everyday DH. There shouldn’t be any need to shuffle guys in and out of that spot (unless Kubel is unable to perform)
Mauer, Morneau, Casilla, Young, Span, and Kubel should be considered “locks” for starting lineup spots on a regular basis.
Provided there are no additional moves to bolster in IF, Buscher and Harris should be the battle for 3B, Cuddyer and Gomez should be duking it out for the final starting OF spot, and Punto should get comfortable with the fact that he’ll likely be hitting 8th or 9th (depending on if Gomez makes the starting lineup or not)
bg -
If you look at my list again, you see that none of those teams even made the World Series, let alone won one. Often times, they missed the playoffs completely.
There is only one way to win a baseball game - score more runs than your opponent. There are, however, a couple of ways to do that. You can score a lot of runs, which homers really help, or you can prevent a lot of runs, in which case defense and pitching are key. Ideally, a team would do both. Unfortunately, most teams cannot afford to do both. So teams need to choose which way they are going to go.
It appears the Twins have chosen pitching and defense for the past decade. And it has worked out pretty well for them. Do I expect the Twins to hit as well with runners in scoring position again this year? Of course not. I do, however, expect them to prevent more runs than they did last year. Will those two even out? We’ll see. One thing I do know - the number of home runs a team hits is NOT a very good predictor of World Series success.
T -
While the offensive numbers aren’t there for Gomez, he probably makes up for it with his amazing defense. While I really don’t like the routes he takes on fly balls sometimes, his speed more than makes up for it.
There really should be enough at bats to spread around all 5 guys - Cuddyer, Young, Span, Gomez, and Kubel. You got a tough lefty? Cuddy and Young get the starts. You have a fly ball pitcher? Put Span in left and have Gomez shade to right. Some one goes down with an injury, and you don’t lose a beat. 4 spots for 5 guys isn’t bad. If every guy sits one in 5 days, it’s actually probably best for them. And, if someone is riding a hot streak, you let him go.
I guess, ideally, I’d like to see someone dealt before the season starts. But if that doesn’t happen, I don’t think Gomez is really going to learn much in AAA.
I should add my ideal lineups…provided there’s a lot of Question marks here.
Let’s start with a modified version of what we were hoping to see in 2008, before Cuddy went down. I see no reason not to come back with something simliar.
Span (CF)
Mauer (C)
Cuddyer (RF)
Morneau (1B)
Kubel (DH)
Young (LF)
Harris(3B)
Punto (SS)
Casilla (2B)
Yes, I’m going with Cuddyer to bat 3rd. If that doesn’t work out, then try swapping he and Young. Young could benefit from having Mauer (and Span) likely on base ahead of him…and Morneau waiting in the wings.
If Gomez is brought in instead of Young:
Span (RF)
Mauer (C)
Cuddyer (RF)
Morneau (1B)
Kubel (DH)
Harris (3B)
Punto (SS)
Gomez (CF)
Casilla (2B)
I know 7th seems high for Punto. But the idea is you want to make sure Casilla/Span/Gomez are hitting together. Put Gomez in front, as it seems Casilla and Span do better with runners on than Gomez (who tends to drill himself into the ground swinging with RISP).
I’d bat Casilla second in both lineups, but I don’t like the idea of burying guys like Cuddyer and Kubel, who have shown some decent power in years past.
Sending Gomez back to AAA would ruin his career, in my opinion.
Starting Gomez in AAA would be an ideal answer to the abundance problem in the Twins OF. But eventuallly either Cuddy or Span must go because Gomez will be the best we have out there. He will be a combination of speed and power
I wonder if the Mariners would take a trade of Cuddy or Span for Felix Hernandez
jb: I imagine Span could be dealt right now for a decent amount (Twins would definately be selling high)
But much like with Kubel giving the Twins 20 homers out of the DH spot (something the Twins haven’t had in a long while), Span appears to have cemented himself in the leadoff role.
And the Twins haven’t had a prime leadoff guys since Stewart’s first few years with the team.
jimmy- throw in Baker and Slowey and they might consider.
T I really miss Stewart and wish we would have never got rid of him. As for Go Go I can’t see him as a leadoff hitter of the Twins future. I see him developing into a speed and power threat. He could be a possible 30-30 guy for the Twins
Ryan W that would be just to much to give away for Felix Hernandez
“I wonder if the Mariners would take a trade of Cuddy or Span for Felix Hernandez”
And this is what kills me about boards. Why in the world would the Mariners EVER consider giving up their 22/23 year old ace pitcher for a 29/30 year old average - at best - outfielder or a 24/25 year old with 1/2 a season of MLB experience?
I’d love to hear why you think it would even be possible.
Pete D Why so hostile???
Dealing Span right now makes sense, it would be selling high and we have a lot of depth at CF all the way through the system.
However, he is (or has been for over a season now) a high OBP guy- something we desperately lack. So while he may regress, he can play defense and lead off for very little money.
I wouldnt deal him unless it addresses a long term need (see 3B)- because his departure would leave a hole in our linup (no- I do not think Casilla is an adaquate lead off man).
jb: Stewart did an amazing job early in his Twins career. But he started having problems with his foot in 06, and the Twins “discovered” that Castillo worked out well in the leadoff spot.
Heck, I was watching a Twins replay from May of 2006, and there was Stewart hitting leadoff ahead of Castillo.
Did anybody rememebr that Stewart actually hit leadoff ahead of Castillo there for a time? Castillo only took over by default when Stewart’s foot started acting up.
He was with the Jays in 2008, played in 50+ games and hit like .240
“Pete D Why so hostile???”
A myriad of reasons.
In all honesty - why do you think the Mariners would do that deal?
Pete, your sarcasm detector seems to be on the fritz.
Ben -
Perhaps I’m wrong, but I’m 95% sure that jimmy bee is absolutely serious.
Cant we all just geta along?
What about Regional Denny
Sending Gomez down to AAA just doesn’t make sense.
His defense, speed, energy, and improving bat (look at his numbers the last month of the season…plus, when he went down to the 9 hole) alone keeps him on the squad.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again…He did more to win games last year than “Mr. Upside” Delmon Young did.
I mean “help” win games…not win games by himself or anything.
Hi La Velle,
Just curious whether Michael Young is still being shopped? I believe you mentioned in an earlier post the Rangers would consider trading him. What do you think it would take for the Twins to get a player of Young’s caliber? Would something along the lines of Blackburn & Gomez be enticing enough for the Rangers?
That’d make a heck of an infield, with Young playing 2B, Casilla moving to SS and Punto sliding back to 3B full-time. I know: it’s unlikely the Twins would part with two young, talented players, but a man can dream.
By the way, when will the Twins spend some of the “expected windfall” to be generated from the new ballpark? Us fans are getting frustrated!
“What do you think it would take for the Twins to get a player of Young’s caliber? Would something along the lines of Blackburn & Gomez be enticing enough for the Rangers?”
That would be to much to give away for Young. How bout Span and Humber
I take that back how bout Span or Cuddy straight up for Young
Kubel signing– Great! His hitting keeps getting better, so the upside potential is there without a doubt. The lack of power they had last year should improve this year as these young hitters get more experience. If that proves to be not true, then they could go after someone with more power, but let’s see first. They should have a pretty good idea of who’s going to live up to expectations before the trade deadline.
HAVE FUN !!! GO TWINS !!!
LaVelle,
Please tell me that Joe Christensen has NOT been furloughed due to STRIB financial difficulties.
I hate rumors.
Sending Gomez to AAA would be a REALLY poor choice for this team. Once he gets on first base, he might as well just get to walk to second. If he wants to steal second there are very few cathcers who can, consistently, through him out. Then all is takes is one blooper to the outfield and he is rounding third by the time the outfielder touches the ball. Almost a gaurenteed run when he is on with no one out…He is one of the more exciting players on this team, when on base!
LaVelle,
Please tell me that Howard Sinker has been furloughed due to STRIB financial difficulties. I love rumors
jb,
In your own words at 9:45 AM:
“Why so hostile???”
Interesting arb numbers exchanged for Kubel: $2.4 and $3.4. That means Kubel value as a free agent is anywhere between $4million and $5.6million. The contract, factoring in 60% of value for 09, 80% of value for ‘10, and full value for ‘11, with a 10% discount, should be somewhere between $8.6 million (what the Twins would offer) and $12.2 million (what Kubel would ask for.) Split the difference, 3 years, $10.4 million. $3.0 this year, $3.5 next year, $4.0 in 2010.
That’s giving Kubel credit for about 1 win above replacement, or a little less. His projection is for 1.2 wins, so the Twins are getting a deal. Also, Kubel’s got an upside of significantly more than 1.2 wins, I’d say. Bill James, for example, projects him to be almost a 3 win player for 2009, which would be worth at least $12million per year.
Sending Gomez to AAA for a couple of months would be excellent–primarily, because he wouldn’t be arb-eligible until 2011. If you delay his clock by one year, you save about a year’s worth of his full-value over his arb years. His value is already over $10million, even with his lousy offense, and it’s only going to rise as (hopefully) his pitch recognition improves.
sane I have a grudge against Howard. Unlike many other blogs when you make the author upset he blocks you and lets you back in. Not that Howard Stinker though. Perma block. Also he erases ant comments that are critical and Kool Aid induced. Sorry sane. He is a cold hearted unforgiving blog Nazi
If you don’t drink the Kool Aid don’t go to section 220
jb,
Getting kicked off one of these blogs would be painless for me.
If that’s the worst thing that they can do to me, it doesn’t even register on the Richter scale.
Fangraphs had Gomez as a +2.4 win value. By their analysis he was an drag offensively, but more than made up for this on defense.
I think alot of us evaluate players mainly as a hitter with little regard or token reference for their defensive abilities. This is natural since the statistical analysis has been easier to quantify for a players offensive contributions.
But a look at win values attempts to quantify both sides and then combine the two for a more complete evaluation of a players value.
Take a look at the other Twins OF:
Span +2.5 wins
That was compiled in just part of the season. May not be able to duplicate batting line?
Young -0.5 wins
2007 0.0 wins
Cuddyer -0.2 wins
Injured, 2007 1.3 wins, 2006 2.5 wins, 2005 1.7 wins.
If healthy, I expect atleast a move back to around the +1.5 win range.
Gomez win value does not look so bad compared to Young and Cuddyer.
IMO, at this point, although Gomez is a raw hitter, his defense is strong enough to keep him in the lineup.
I was hoping the tired and overused “drink the Kool Aid” cliche would die off after yesterday.
Someone needs to throw that saying “under the bus.”
sane you are a very calm and collected person. I need to try to be more understanding like you are. I need a So-Cal Va-Ca to give me that good ole I don’t give a #!?(&&%^$#@#$ laid back attitude like I grew up with in the SGV
Great stuff Columbo…Completely agree.
If the decision is made to use Young, Span, and Cuddyer more often than not to start the season, Gomez is invaluable for coming off the bench for his defense/pinch running, etc., especially considering Young’s propensity for looking like his ice skating in the outfield.
This alone keeps Gomez on the squad, and perhaps makes him a starter regardless.
His bat will continue to improve.
Pete D says:
January 21st, 2009 at 9:09 am
bg -
If you look at my list again, you see that none of those teams even made the World Series, let alone won one. Often times, they missed the playoffs completely.
There is only one way to win a baseball game - score more runs than your opponent. There are, however, a couple of ways to do that. You can score a lot of runs, which homers really help, or you can prevent a lot of runs, in which case defense and pitching are key. Ideally, a team would do both. Unfortunately, most teams cannot afford to do both. So teams need to choose which way they are going to go.
It appears the Twins have chosen pitching and defense for the past decade. And it has worked out pretty well for them. Do I expect the Twins to hit as well with runners in scoring position again this year? Of course not. I do, however, expect them to prevent more runs than they did last year. Will those two even out? We’ll see. One thing I do know - the number of home runs a team hits is NOT a very good predictor of World Series success.
PeteD - I don’t care about your list. It’s got very little to do with my comments about the past 10 world series participants. Again, I’m not saying that we need to lead the world in hr’s. But stats will show that MLB has evolved into a game where teams that are weak in the power hitting dept. do not make it to the world series.
How did the Twins do last year against AL teams with a winning record? How many of those teams with winning records had lower power numbers than us? A RH batter that would put a little fear into the opposing team to hit behind Morneau would be huge. Imagine what Morneau could do if he actually got pitched to once in while. As it stands now, opposing teams can pitch around him at will.
How do you send Gomez down to AAA for “a couple months”? Who does he replace when he comes back?
I see where Michael Young is willing to move to 3rd base. I would love to see him there until Valencia or someone else is ready. He is a clutch hitter.
Michael Young is old and he plays in a band box. Oh yeah, he would also cost to much to trade for. A good FA like Crede might be a better choice. My first choice Blake is already off the market.
In 1987 and in 1991 I wonder where the Twins were ranked in HR’s compared to the rest of the league.
“The Marlins are not interested in signing Daniel Uggla to a multiyear contract. We always would be open to listen to anything, but they made it very clear to us they were only going to sign Hanley and Hanley alone.”
Hmmmmmmmm…. Now there would be a nice possibility
1987: Twins tied with NYY for 5th w/ 196 HR. Detroit led the AL with 225, Seattle on the bottom w/ 161.
1991: Twins 6th in AL w/ 140 HRs. Detroit led AL w/ 209. Cleveland was dead-last with, get this, 79 HRs.
WJ–
He’d replace Span in CF, who would slide over to replace whoever was injured of DY and Cuddyer, if he wasn’t injured himself. If Span, Cuddyer, and Young are all healthy all year, Gomez stays down in AAA until he hits his way up or DY/Cuddyer hits his way out of the line-up.
Phantom, care to give us a reason/source to believe Hardy will be a Twin in 7-10 days?
I would be more interested in where they rank compared to last years Twins team.
Columbo–
Agreed that the fangraphs win totals are invaluable. They just added them (including for pitchers) recently, and it’s great. You can see why DY is/was on the trading block; not contributing defensively or offensively to the Twins. I have been opposed to trading him, but given that Span has performed as well as we could realistically hoped for DY to perform, I can see why DY is now expendable.
AM,
How does DY’s future fangraphs win totals compare to Cuddyer’s?
That is why DY is NOT expendable!
87 Twins hit 29 fewer HRs than the AL leader.
91 Twins hit 69 fewer HRs.
08 Twins hit 124 fewer HRs than league-leading White Sox (but even the team with the 2nd-most HRs was 35 HRs behind Chicago).
Runs per Game, League Rank:
1987: 4.85, 8th
1991: 4.79, 4th
2008: 5.09, 3rd
jimmee bee,
There was an article a few months back on the strib’s website about a Dr. Mcguire who was the CEO of United Health, a big HMO. This particular article reported about the negotiated “penalty” this guy got from the SEC. A little background here. This guy became the CEO sometime ago. When HMOs were just coming into vouge. He built it up to the point where it was one of the leaders in the field. Through bonuses and stock options, many which were backdated, he and his buddies on the BOD received a fortune. Mcguire retired with 1.6 billion dollars. He was soundly criticized in the press. He was investigated by the SEC who found he did nothing illegal but did do something unethical. He was fined 400 million. Mcguire appealed. The article was about how he got his fine reduced to, if memory serves me, 180 million. I wrote a comment about how many lives this guy affected. About how this money didn’t come from nowhere. About how every dollar he put in his pocket came from someone else’s pocket. I went into the math of how 1.6 billion = about $5.33 from every man, woman and child in this country. About how most people did not pay this amount. About how this load was carried by relatively few. About how their lives were probably changed for the worse. About how in some states if you kill someone robbing a liquore store you will get executed. About how many lives are damaged by the robber. About comparing the two situations. This comment got unanimous positive feedback from readers.
My mistake was titleing my comment “Execution”.
In about 1/2 hour my comment dissappeared and I was barred from commenting.
Live and learn.
AM,
Fangraphs has a lot of good info. I think it’s one of the better SABER sites.
DY is a quandry for the Twins. I think they expected improvement from his 2007 season, but got basically the same. Because of his age it’s possible he could improve at the plate. But this also makes him a valuable trading piece.
One thing DY has done fairly well is hitting lefthanders:
2006-2008: 363 AB .306/.341/.449
52 AB/HR
He could have some value as a platoon with Kubel at DH. Not much HR power, but a decent line.
08 Twins hit 124 fewer HRs than league-leading White Sox (but even the team with the 2nd-most HRs was 35 HRs behind Chicago).
On a completely unrelated (or completely related depending on how you look at it)…
The Twins hit 124 fewer homers than the Sox. But ultimately it was one homer that ended up being the difference between the postseason and offseason.
T,
I think that shows again that the place where HRs can make a real difference is in the playoffs.
Paul, I really liked your 12:57. Not sure how this applies exactly, but once the coach of the Buccaneers was asked about his team’s execution and he said “I’m all for it.”
Paul I guess live and learn is a great way of looking at it. I guess I will just post on LaVelle’s wonderfull blog and Joe C’s as well and I will just not care that Coward Finker has banned me for life for something that minute and insignifigant.
Sid–fangraphs lists three projection lines for 2009, Marcel, CHONE, and Bill James. Nothing beyond that. As of now, Cuddyer has better projections than DY for 2009. Baseball Prospectus has “PECOTA” cards that go 7 years out; however, they aren’t updated yet. (And according to the last year’s version, DY has higher potential than Cuddyer going forward, but it will be interesting to see if DY’s 2008 hurts that projection.
Twins considering CredeViews 6439 Comments 9 08:31 AM ET 01.21 Share Print It My T&R The Twins admit they are intrigued by former Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, 30, but the free agent had back surgery in October, so that possibility remains wait-and-see. The Twins got 91 runs batted in from their third basemen last season. “So, that’s not a black hole for us,” Smith said.
The Twins admit they are intrigued by former Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, 30, but the free agent had back surgery in October, so that possibility remains wait-and-see.
The Twins got 91 runs batted in from their third basemen last season.
“So
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that’s not a black hole for us,” Smith said
Wow, I refreshed the page and that entry appeared. I didn’t even write anything. Spooky.
Tell Bill Smith that Mike Lamb won’t have 32 RBI as a Twins 3B THIS YEAR.
So the REAL ANSWER to the bonus question is 59 RBI by current Twins 3B last year.
THAT’S how B.S. got his nickname!
I would think those 32 RBI would be matched or increased with whomever does play 3rd.
Win Twins!
sane we could change B.S. name to F.O.S. or whichever you may preffer
I get it now…there is a second Dana on here. cool
dana,
I agree that Harris and Buscher could top last year’s 3B total.
But that wasn’t what Bill Smith said.
He actually counted Lamb’s RBI’s as a 3B in his total.
A bit misleading.
I say don’t change a thing….The Twins current 3b situation is so “adequate” that it makes me sick with complacency….I love it.
Actually, Buscher and Harris combined for 96 RBI (in 652 AB) and that beats the @#$% out of “adequate”.
jimmy bee-Howard has a grudge against you.It’s his by-line as is Joe’s and LEN3.Of course they don’t have control of their creative properties,you bloggers think you do.IMO,that’s what’s wrong with these blogs.Get your own blog and cut Howard off!
Nope….Don’t kid yourself…That duo is perfectly average.
I will go ahead and take it upon myself to update the blog with Wiggy’s numbers throughout the year for comparison with that dynamic, RBI machine duo of Buscher and Harris (including errors).
I love how the current feature article on the TWins homepage outlines the team’s struggle to find a 3b with some pop. Yet there is one sitting out there. With a glove that is better than Buscher’s. His name is Wiggy.
The 5:03 post was mine,sorry Mighty Casey.I don’t know that happens!
“With a glove that is better than Buscher’s’
That is setting the bar awfully……?
“With an abundance of third basemen, Padres are assessing their options”
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/19/padres-position-third-base/?padres
…gee, I wonder if we could help them with that?
bg -
“But stats will show that MLB has evolved into a game where teams that are weak in the power hitting dept. do not make it to the world series. ”
Sorry it’s taken me a while to get back to you.
Perhaps I am not getting my point across very clearly. Home runs are a bad predictor of World Series teams. There are many other stats you can use that would predict the World Series winner better than home runs. Like - runs scored or runs allowed.
Do home runs help? Sure. Usually the teams that hit more home runs score more runs. But that isn’t always the case, and you can score runs without hitting a lot of home runs - like the Twins proved last year.
Here’s a great article on how certain run estimators perform - http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/ops-for-the-masses/ . Now, a lot of it we aren’t talking about, but check out how HR correlate to runs scored. Worse than average, OBP, slugging, and OPS.
Again, teams that hit a lot of home runs tend to have higher slugging percentages, and therefore higher OPS numbers. But you can also get there with a higher OBP.
Crede has been cleared for work outs. Twins to scout. willing to bet he is onboard before spring training.
A perfect fit!!
Win Twins!
Greg,
“Crede has been cleared for work outs. Twins to scout.”
That’s good news!
What is your source?
Rob Antony on 1500 AM tonight. Send in an email from California.
just happened to go onto the Twin page and saw the radion broadcast.
Asked about Gagne and Crede.
The point about the need for power isn’t that leading the league in homers means you’re going to the Series. The point is the team lacks a balanced lineup. We are too dependent on stringing hits together and, over time, that’s notoriously unreliable. At the other end of the spectrum, the White Sox hit a lot of home runs, but struggled to score runs in any other way. They would go long periods without scoring when the ball stayed in the park. So, no, the Twins don’t need to lead the league in homers, but hitting more than a measly 111 would be nice.
jimmy bee says:
January 21st, 2009 at 9:41 am
(Gomez) could be a possible 30-30 guy for the Twins.
Whoa. Hold on. Let’s not get crazy here. Gomez might be REALLY good someday, but 30 homeruns? That’s…a lot. He’s going to be just as big a power threat as Morneau? Sorry. I just don’t see it.
P.S. LEN,
Any progress on getting the Wolves scoreboard (on TV)…enlarged a little? It’s microscopic.
Well put Boneyard.
someone knocked kubel for batting .245 with risp. it’s not great but let me give a little perspective on batting average. over 1000 at bats(approximately 2 full seasons) a guy who hits .290 is going to have 40 more hits than a guy who hits .250. that’s 20 hits difference a year. not a huge difference if mr. .290 is a slap/singles hitter and mr. .250 drives the ball around. statistically speaking, guys are going to get hits less than 30% of the time. even the best maybe %32-33. players will get let on base. sometimes it’s nice to have a guy who can clean up the bases in one swing.
Maybe the FO had a game plan after all.If Blake had not insisted on the third year,we would have signed him,not knowing if Crede’s back was sound.Now that we might see him work out,we can see if he is good to go,knowing we can always get involved in the Wiggy bit.
Even if Crede is ‘good to go’ that says little or nothing about how well he will hold up over the course of a season.
I wouldn’t say the FO had a game plan that included Wigginton getting non-tendered. I think they simply had a very sound strategy of not wanting to pay for a 37-year-old 3b (Blake). Wigginton getting the pink slip was just a nice coincidence.
Crede playing RH DH at the Dome and everyday 3B on grass, may keep him upright all year.
If not, its Harris-Buscher.
And all we are risking is Pohlad’s money.
It all seems perfect to me!
Signing Crede just makes me nervous. Shades of Cirillo, Lamb, and Batista, but with injury issues included.
don’t think the Stats of Crede follow Batista, Cirillo, or Lamb.
he is proven a HR threat and RBi and catches the ball.
Plus, he is a former Whitesox and is perfect fit.
Willing to bet a beer he is onboard prior to spring training.
Win Twins!
new post is up.
Batista was a proven home run threat. Cirillo actually had been decent, albeit in the relatively distant past. Come to think of it, RonDL was a proven home run threat, too. Look how that turned out.
Btw, Greg, what does Crede coming from the White Sox have to do with it? Weakening a division rival. They obviously don’t feel weaker without him. Don’t get me wrong, if the Twins sign him, I hope Crede hits 30 HR while hitting .300 and playing great D. I just think some guys age faster and he’s one of those guys.
Boneyard,
Crede is 30 years-old. (will turn 31 in April)
RonDL, Cirillo and Batista were already crapping dust when the Twins signed them.
Boneyard says:
January 21st, 2009 at 10:44 pm
The point about the need for power isn’t that leading the league in homers means you’re going to the Series. The point is the team lacks a balanced lineup. We are too dependent on stringing hits together and, over time, that’s notoriously unreliable. At the other end of the spectrum, the White Sox hit a lot of home runs, but struggled to score runs in any other way. They would go long periods without scoring when the ball stayed in the park. So, no, the Twins don’t need to lead the league in homers, but hitting more than a measly 111 would be nice.
thank you boneyard. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to convey but seems some keep trying to interpet that I’m saying that we need to be the #1 hr team in the league and that’s not what I’m saying. I’m also not saying that the world series participants the past ten seasons were necessarily the leading hr teams in their respective leagues. I’m only saying that the w.s. participants were not at or near the bottom in the power categories. They were typically in the middle of the pack or towards the top. In the playoffs, especially withe the current format of three series to be champs, a team occasionally needs to win a game or two with the power game.
Can the current roster contend for the division title (assuming cleveland doesn’t become the cleveland that many expected last year)? Yes I think they can. Can they win three consecutive playoff series and become the champions? I don’t think so. In fact, I don’t think they have the sticks to win two series or possibly even one.
[…] According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins signed Jason Kubel to a two-year deal with a third-year option, pending a […]
