The eager ones have arrived
Posted on February 11th, 2009 – 10:52 AMBy La Velle
FORT MYERS. FLA. - Pitchers and catchers start workouts on Monday, but a few position players already have arrived.
Michael Cuddyer and Brian Buscher hit the gym Wednesday morning before taking batting practice on a back field at the Lee County Sports Complex. Matt Macri hit off a tee at one of the batting cages.
I chatted briefly with Buscher, who looks a little more muscled up than I remembered him to be last season. He was raving about being on the infield last weekend for the Budweiser Shootout in Daytona. We didn’t get around to talking about the club’s interest in Joe Crede, but that might be a moot issue as the Twins don’t appear to be eager to give Crede $5-7 million.
There were about 20 cars parked near the back fields as players continued their pre-camp conditioning. Kevin Mulvey, Brian Duensing, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Craig Breslow, Bobby Korecky Jose Morales and Jason Kubel were among the recognizable faces.
Other players who live in Fort Myers have been known to work out on the fields before reporting to their camps. Derek Lowe and former Twin Brian Buchanan were on the field Wednesday and former Twin Jason Bartlett was around earlier in the week.
Groundskeeping guru George Toma is already here and is busy dragging the infield. Toma turned 80 while working the Super Bowl a couple weeks ago, and the organizers threw him a birthday party at the stroke of midnight with a big cake on the 50-yard line of Raymond James Stadium.
For those of you who have been to games down here, you’ll remember how crummy the scoreboard was. But a new scoreboard, part of the Target Field scoreboard deal, is being erected as I write this.
Now I’ve got to knock out a spring training preview and try to catch the end of batting practice. I believe Twins officials have landed in Fort Myers and should start popping up around here during the afternoon. If there’s anything newsworthy I’ll post it here,
258 Responses to "The eager ones have arrived"
Thanks, spring is just around the corner now.
You met THE Jason Bartlett? MVP of the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays?
I envy you sir!
LaVelle, I am officially jealous!! Enjoy the weather and all the baseball!
All the weight lifting in the world isn’t going to help the accuracy of Buscher’s throws.
But a new scoreboard, part of the Target Field scoreboard deal, is being erected as I write this.
That’s quite an erection.
Have a good time at Camp Kumba-ya, LaVelle, where getting along and having fun outweigh having real talent.
All the weight lifting in the world isn’t going to help the accuracy of Buscher’s throws.
But it might improve his HR total to more than 4….or not.
Anyone have a guess who the Twins will knock off the 40-man roster to make room for Ayala?
Twins should re-sign Buck Buchanon, just so he can travel with the team to hit batting practice. He was the best Twin to hit bombs during BP. And long bombs at that!
Last year you posted a picture of the field before any advertising had been put up on the wall…it got me so over the top ready as I used that for my background on my computer. Any chance we can get another shot like that!
How soon can Neshek go on the DL??
[…] Twins Insider – […]
now that it’s obvious that no know third baseman will appear lets see how long it takes gardy to start putting the screws to harris. last year he made an error in the first spring game and it was all down hill from there.
Anyone have a guess who the Twins will knock off the 40-man roster to make room for Ayala?
Buh-bye Matty Macri.
‘Buh-bye Matty Macri.’
Macri is a 27-yr-old 3B and Korecky is a 29-yr-old pitcher in a pitcher-heavy and 3B-deficient organization.
My guess is Macri stays and Korecky travels.
Anyone have a guess who the Twins will knock off the 40-man roster to make room for Ayala?
Wasn’t that FunkyTown’s point about when Neshek can go on the DL? I assume if Neshek can go on the 60-day DL now, then no one needs to be cut from the 40-man to make room for Ayala.
Posted: February 11, 2009
Sporting News staff reports
The Los Angeles Angels and Bobby Abreu have agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal plus incentives, SportsIllustrated.com reports.
The lefthanded-hitting Abreu hit .296 last season with the Yankees with more than 100 runs for a sixth consecutive season.
Abreu, who turns 35 next month, had been seeking a three-year deal with about $48 million total.
The Dodgers, Mets, White Sox and Reds also had been interested in Abreu.
Crede’s $ just went to 2.5 Million
Mattman, Funkytown,
As Chief pointed out in the previous string, the DL starts on Opening Day.
Yeah Calguy, I mean, you would have to think that. In no possible universe does Crede get more than Abreu. I mean, right??
It will be fascinating to see what Crede gets. I wouldn’t be surprised if Boras somehow convinces him to sit out the year or something. Boras seems that crazy and stubborn.
I would love to get Buscher, Harris, and Macri’s opinion on signing Crede. My guess is they are more open to it than management, and the players are the ones that have at bats to lose.
Either way I wish them all the best, and hope that Bill Smith either gets a clue, or a pink slip soon.
“As Chief pointed out in the previous string, the DL starts on Opening Day.”
Actually, that was on Joe C’s blog.
Good for George Toma. But be careful mentioning his age of 80 and ’stroke’ in the same sentence! 
If it were me sign him to 2 year Contract with a club option on the third: 12 Million + incentives.
Take a look: pretty compelling
Crede
SEASON G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
00 CHW 7 14 2 5 1 0 0 3 6 0 3 0 0 0.357 0.333 0.429
01 CHW 17 50 1 11 1 1 0 7 14 3 11 1 0 0.22 0.273 0.28
02 CHW 53 200 28 57 10 0 12 35 103 8 40 0 2 0.285 0.311 0.515
03 CHW 151 536 68 140 31 2 19 75 232 32 75 1 1 0.261 0.308 0.433
04 CHW 144 490 67 117 25 0 21 69 205 34 81 1 2 0.239 0.299 0.418
05 CHW 132 432 54 109 21 0 22 62 196 25 66 1 1 0.252 0.303 0.454
06 CHW 150 544 76 154 31 0 30 94 275 28 58 0 2 0.283 0.323 0.506
07 CHW 47 167 13 36 5 0 4 22 53 10 24 0 1 0.216 0.258 0.317
08 CHW 97 335 41 83 18 1 17 55 154 30 45 0 3 0.248 0.314 0.46
Totals 798 2768 350 712 143 4 125 422 1238 170 403 4 12 0.257 0.306 0.447
Koskie
SEASON G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG
98 MIN 11 29 2 4 0 0 1 2 7 2 10 0 0 0.138 0.194 0.241
99 MIN 117 342 42 106 21 0 11 58 160 40 72 4 4 0.31 0.387 0.468
00 MIN 146 474 79 142 32 4 9 65 209 77 104 5 4 0.3 0.4 0.441
01 MIN 153 562 100 155 37 2 26 103 274 68 118 27 6 0.276 0.362 0.488
02 MIN 140 490 71 131 37 3 15 69 219 72 127 10 11 0.267 0.368 0.447
03 MIN 131 469 76 137 29 2 14 69 212 77 113 11 5 0.292 0.393 0.452
04 MIN 118 422 68 106 24 2 25 71 209 49 103 9 3 0.251 0.342 0.495
05 TOR 97 354 49 88 20 0 11 36 141 44 90 4 1 0.249 0.337 0.398
06 MIL 76 257 29 67 23 0 12 33 126 29 58 1 2 0.261 0.343 0.49
Totals 989 3399 516 936 223 13 124 506 1557 458 795 71 36 0.275 0.367 0.458
This is awesome i feel like singing or something. Keep the notes coming Len3 i dont care if it is just a paragraph or two. I think i’m going to clean my golf clubs tonight.
Yeah Calguy, I mean, you would have to think that. In no possible universe does Crede get more than Abreu. I mean, right??
All things being equal, yes, but all things are never equal.
Position scarcity comes into play as well. It’s pretty obvious the bottom fell out of the corner outfielder/DH market Abreau just signed for cheap, Dunn (6 straight years of 40+ HRs) and Manny (one of the best RH hitters of this era) are still sitting out there unsigned.
Crede’s a third baseman, however, and is left as pretty much the only viable option for a team hoping to upgrade at third.
Working against Crede is the fact that not too many teams are looking to upgrade at third any more.
Purely speculation, but I bet right now Crede would jump at $4M guaranteed, with a chance to earn $7M, and will eventually get something close to that from somebody.
I am just waiting, hoping to give Bill Smith some praise. If his waiting game/patience can produce a Crede signing in that 2.5/3 range, then good for him.
If Crede’s price does continue to tumble, and he signs with a team like the Giants for that price, well then slap my face and call me Shirley.
I would guess that 1 of the 5 catchers would get bumped from the 40-man roster to make room for Ayala.
Good points about the position value USAFChief….
draw your own conclusion:
4 mill nicky punto,
2 hr, 28 rbi, .284/.344/.382, 15 sb, ops+ 99
5 mill bobby abreu,
20 hr, 100 rbi, .296/.371/.471, 22 sb, ops+ 120
one of these has to be a deal not sure which.
Dude we signed Nick Punto, Jason Kubel, Matt Geurrier, Slick Dickey and Luis Aveda, what more do you guys want? We are right in line to miss the post season by one game, that is all that is expected in this town right?
Cuddy reported early? That means we are officially about 58 days from his first DL stint of 09…
gobbledygookguy, Thanks for the reminder! I just threw up on my keyboard! 
“one of these has to be a deal not sure which.”
Nick Punto.
According to fangraphs.com, Nick Punto was worth 22.7 value runs last year - or 2.3 value wins. At the market rate, it’s worth $10.2 million. Abreu was worth 1.3 value wins, which goes for about $5.1 million.
We all - myself included - often forget about the defensive side of the ball. That’s where Nick Punto gains a lot of value, and where Bobby Abreu loses a lot of his. Abreu is a terrible corner outfielder, while Punto is an above average shortstop.
Not fair La Velle, not fair. Have fun in Ft. Myers and if you ever need an assistant for Spring Training, let me know.
“I would guess that 1 of the 5 catchers would get bumped from the 40-man roster to make room for Ayala.”
Jose Morales?
Butera and Ramos can’t be removed, and wouldn’t be anyway… and I don’t think Mauer or Redmond are in jeopardy.
My vote would be Korecky.
T, you really need to get over Jason Bartlett.
LaVelle, Any word on who the Twins will move to make room for Ayala on the 40-man roster?
You met THE Jason Bartlett? MVP of the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays?
I envy you sir!
I think you meant: I envy you, sir!
Oh, how the mighty have fallen, huh, T?
I think you meant: I envy you, sir!
Oh lord. I missed a comma. Thank the STARS Lala managed to catch that.
My guess is they are more open to it than management, and the players are the ones that have at bats to lose.
I would wager that any player at this point is going to give you something along the lines of “Whatever’s best for the team” or “I’ll just have to work harder to earn my spot” when asked what they think.
I have no idea what the “Budweiser Shootout” is, but it sounds awesome. I am picturing a bunch of drunken baseball players dueling it out with high-powered rifles. They should televise it.
Iconoclast I’m with you anything involving beer and shooting has to involve red necks so it would be entertaining to say the least.
Seth,
Actually Butera and/or Ramos can be outrighted, but they would have to clear waivers. Butera would probably clear.
But if they don’t want to expose anyone to waivers yet, Macri and Korecky are really the only possibilities to outright at this time.
Also,
Calguy, thanks for posting those stats. I would like to direct your attention to Crede’s .306 career on base percentage and his .257 career average. Those numbers are absolutely Rivas-esque! And I would also point out that he accumulated those numbers in Chicago, not the Metrodome, which is the worst hitters’ park in the AL.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, TWINS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT SIGN THIS GUY!!! I don’t care if he wants $7 million a year or $20 an hour. He is not worth it, and he would make this team worse.
I don’t know if any of you heard about the guy who was talking to Obama about benefits (some college kid working at MCDonald’s), but it turns out he got a one day job from the Fort Myers Miracle! Here’s the link if you’re interested:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/02/62687523/1?se=yahoorefer
Doing color commentary? bummer i was hoping they would give him a shot at 3B.
can someone explain why Dunn is still out there (please don’t say the $$$)
It truly make no sense.
thanks in advance
Calguy -
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, Dunn just signed a 2 year deal with the Nationals.
SoCal, the fences are all painted this year.
ee
Matt Garza stopped by yesterday for a spell. It was cool see Phil Roof throw a little bp today.
Dziękujemy (Thank you)
No prob - and by the way, it is being reported as a 2 year, $20 million deal.
Did the Angels officially sign Abreau yet?
Wood or Aybar available from Angels?
http://fromthedugout.freedomblogging.com/2009/02/11/some-angels-could-fit-as-trade-bait/13648/
Pete D. Peanuts for a guy with these kind of numbers:
Dunn
Team G AB HR RBI H Avg.
01 CIN 66 244 19 43 64 0.262
02 CIN 158 535 26 71 133 0.249
03 CIN 116 381 27 57 82 0.215
04 CIN 161 568 46 102 151 0.266
05 CIN 160 543 40 101 134 0.247
06 CIN 160 561 40 92 131 0.234
07 CIN 152 522 40 106 138 0.264
08 CIN 114 373 32 74 87 0.233
08 ARI 44 144 8 26 35 0.243
Totals 1131 3871 278 672 955 0.247
Dunn off the board…to the Nats apparently.
Man, free agents flying like hot cakes. Mr. Crede going to start gettin’ a little antsy I wonder??
Calguy -
You don’t have to convince me about Adam Dunn. I’m probably one of the largest Dunn fans on these boards.
I with jku on this one. Depending on what Dunn gets….Crede may start to get the impression that 5-7 mil is a pipedream.
Whelp…If the 2 for 20 mill report is true, well, then I don’t know. 5-7 should be a pipe dream anyways.
Abreu can’t be too psyched if that’s what Dunn is getting, and please don’t nap on the fact that Raul Ibanez is sitting somewhere laughing right now.
If Dunn is only getting $10 million per year then there’s no way anyone will give manny more then $20 mil more like $15 mil now.
“Wood or Aybar available from Angels?”
doesn’t gardy already have his ss for the next 3 years under contract?
or would they be to keep dy company on the bench?
Me wonders how many of the current free agents would already be signed if the clubs didn’t have to deal with BorASS. Me also thinks that Crede’s value is coming down, but Mr. Bill won’t make the deal with his head squarely lodged in his backside.
I hope his head stays there if that’s how we can avoid signing Crede.
ggg,
But someone has to take Punto’s place in three years, if Toby isn’t ready.
But a new scoreboard, part of the Target Field scoreboard deal, is being erected as I write this.
That’s quite an erection.
PED’s?
i hear brett favre is available…
i hear toby’s putting some good swings on it and getting after it, battling his tail off to make the jump when nicky retires. he’ll take charge and be the infield leader like his dad was!
wood might be worth a look maybe last yr was a fluke, he had great minor league #’s but a lot of players do that and can’t hit in the ml.
What’s with the Buscher bashing? At least he is down there working out and trying to get better. He’s worked hard during the off season in SC. I bet his throws will be better this year.
Much improved for 2009.
Who needs Crede?
Who needs Crede?
this is probably the first time I agree with Topp Dogg.
On the other hand, if Buscher was a RH hitter, with much more power, better instincts to the ball and more accurate throws, I might have agreed on that part as well. With a lot of work you might be able to fix some of that. The others are practically unfixable…
Hey Thrlos,
Great article you wrote at the “Tenth Inning Stretch”. I enjoy your work there so keep it up! I also commented on your projections for Slowey and I hope his numbers are even close to what you thought.
topp dogg take a look at buschers record thru the minors and with the twins. he has been a poor fielder his 6 years in pro ball. he will be 28 in april and should be in his prime. maybe something will click or a light will go on and he’ll improve drastically, i wish him well but i don’t think some nirvana will happen at his age.
of course he may be all we have.
Hey Thrylos,
How many at bats per RBI did Buscher have last year as compared to Morneau? Buscher had a lot of clutch RBI’s for us last year and if he is our 3rd baseman I certainly hope he keeps improving. I do think we could do worse then going forward with Harris-Buscher combo for 2009..
“We could do worse” is setting the bar pretty low.
Jeff,
Buscher: 4.6AB/RBI (218AB)
Morneau: 4.8AB/RBI (623AB)
Jeff,
RBI is not an indicator of only how a particular player performs, but how others perform in front of him. Way overrated stat. A better way to describe “clutch” is how a hitter (or a pitcher) performs in high leverage situations. Buscher’s numbers last year in those situations were .286/.327/.310 .636 OPS. Arguably on the best clutch hitters last year was the guy they let go to Detroit, batting .429/.417/.524 .940 OPS in high leverage situation. Yeap Adam Everett was clutch
Re: Slowey:
I still stand by the projections at the TT. Thanks
Jeff,
The problem with Buscher is that his horrendous defense more then negates the slight benefit to his offense.
When the Twins switched from Mientkewicz to Morneau, they knew his Defense wasn’t as good but felt that his offense would make up for his deficiencies. Which they have and Morneau has developed into a Gold Glove caliber 1B.
Buscher’s defense is so bad that he can’t generate enough offense to compensate. Plus he’s essentially the same age as Morneau (a month older actually). He is in his prime and the time for development/improvement is mostly behind him.
Thyr:
Great stat’s. Everett was surprisingly effective when needed….just wasnt needed enough….and if given more chances, his stat’s in high leverage at-bats would certainly have declined.
We need high OBP guys at the top, guys who can hit in high-leverage at-bats in the middle, and guys who are not rally killing automatic outs at the bottom.
Doesnt look to me like there are many guys left out there who would fit the bill for the Twins. Abreau would have been an interesting risk for 5M. Oh well. If Abreau is at 5, what can Crede expect? 3? 3.5?
Crede would still be better than Aybar, Wood, or Figgins off the Angels. I dont see how any of those guys will add much to the Twins’ lineup.
Dang it was only 80 here in Texas today. Don’t miss the winters one bit. In fact after waxing the car I am going to the outdoor shooting range and then having a awesome BBQ at home. Enjoy the cold suckers… LOL
PED’s?
I thought those had the opposite effect on…that.
Wood is young, and should improve with time. Buscher is 28, and isn’t likely to improve.
Wood will hit HRs (when he manages to hit the ball), Buscher will not.
Did I see Dunn went for $10MM? Kubel for $4MM or Dunn for $10? I’ll take Dunn every time.
Come on Bill, just sign Manny and Crede and the Twins have a World Championship in the bag! Should only take about $30 million, plenty of room left in the payroll for that.
Hey Pete
Any hurricanes come your way lately and decimate entire counties??
It seems the Twins aren’t eagar to give anyone anything. Why is it when there is a good move to be made that makes sense the fans are always wrong and one man Billy Bob Smith is always right. The dude knows nothing about baseball I’ll bet my house on it. Where is Andy McPhail when you need him? The part that really is disturbing is how they lead us all on and really insult us in thinking we don’t know the crap they are pulling. I know what they are thinking…give us a glimmer of hope, we will then open the season with what we had last year, then when we don’t make the playoffs they will start with the new stadium hoopla knowing they will cash in on it either way, its all a big mind game.
Hey Jeff. None ever hit San Antonio and we don’t have earthquakes, choking smog, state tax, huge gang problems like CA. LOL
Shocking news about this
B-a-s-t-a-r-d player…
NEW YORK (CNN) — A lawsuit filed January 30 by baseball great Roberto Alomar’s ex-girlfriend alleges he engaged in unprotected sex with her while suffering from HIV/AIDS. Alomar has fullblown AIDS.
With Dunn and Abreu off the market the cash strapped Braves are still looking for an outfielder. Would they possibly be interested in Mike Cuddyer?
According to major league sources, Adam Dunn and the Washington Nationals reached an agreement on a two-year, $20 million contract, SI.com has learned.
I think Joe Crede is a good risk if he’s willing to earn his money. An incentive laden contract is the only acceptable way to deal with a guy who has a history of back problems. His D and his power make up for his low BA and OBP. I also think that his stats are a product of the park he played in and the team hitting philosophy in Chi. He’d probably have a higher BA and less HR’s if he played for us just because of the small ball crap vs the sit and wait for HR’s philosophy in Chi. Either way, when Crede’s healthy he’s an elite defensive player.
I’m going to withhold judgement on Alomar until all the facts are out.
That’s a perfect moniker, All the Answers. It reminds us of the perfect correlation between those with an artificially low regard for the expertise of the FO and those with an unjustifiably high opinion of their own knowledge. Thanks for the terrific insight.
Hey Pete,
I have lived in the Dallas area so I am somewhat familiar with Texas. I have lived just outside of Minneapolis and have lived in Orange county for over 25 years. If I had to pick a place to raise my son it would definitely be Minnesota by far. Every place in the world has its drawbacks and good points.
LaVelle,
any comments about this traitor?
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-indians-viola&prov=ap&type=lgns
I thought those had the opposite effect on…that.
Perhaps we’re thinking of different drugs and the…performance…being enhanced.
The poor, pathetic Nationals. Signing Adam Dunn. Awful team, awful player. I guess it’s a match.
Fantastic Unparalleled Craig Kisses,
You finally have initials to match your character.
Huh…. Are you flirting with me, jon?
Question for anyone out there. I’m going to spring training and will be there a few days before the games start. I’m wondering if people are free to roam around all the fields, just certain ones, is there a place we can watch workout? Anybody with info would be a great help. Thanks!
Thry
Wth? Viola with the Indians? What is he thinking?
msm,
my point exactly (Re: Viola) but a. it is a 2 way street and b. you gotta read Hrbie’s book to get a good picture about Viola (they were roomies on the road for a while)
GW,
go check Joe’s blog, I answer you there
LaVelle, will the new scoreboard show pitcher’s velocity? I think its always interesting to gauge how hard the pitchers are actually throwing at various intervals throughout the spring - and yet there’s no posting of MPH at Hammond….hopefully they added that… ??
Jeff in SoCal– The little comment:
“Any hurricanes come your way lately and decimate entire counties??”
not very tactful, seeing that some people did have their counties decimated recently (mine was one of them)….. I know it was directed at someone else, but not a very nice comment either way.
E7: The three most likely steroids users were 3 former Twins - Torii, Johan and JC Romero
Lenny,
JC was caught…
next
Thry, what other current or former Twins besides Juannie and JC would you guess may have used? Oh yeah, and not Jason Tyner either
Yea, let’s get thos other 103 names and can the Crede/Dunn blather; we don’t need’em.
I am not into the guessing game. For all it matters the following former and current Twins have been associated with PEDs (alphabetical order) :
Chad Allen
Howie Clark
Ryan Christianson
Dave Hollins
Chuck Knoblauch
Matt Lawton
Alfredo Martin
Dan Naulty
Denny Neagle
Juan Rincon
JC Romero
Randy Ruiz
Dan Serafini
Heath Totten
Rondell White
it proves nothing and disproves the same nothing.
Now let’s get over it and enjoy spring training
GW, you can roam around the Twins complex. (I’ll be there in late March - 19 - 26.) But roaming around is fun.
One year, the coaches gathered together the young players to remind them of the last dinner of ST and that they should arrive on time, in a coat and tie, and sober. It was funny. We were able to stand outside the circle and hear the talk. Two years ago I stood behind a backstop and watched TK hit fungos and grounders to some of the A players.
The Twins are one of the most open about letting fans roam about the diamond. Whereas, for the Yanks, it’s like going to the stockyards, because the fans are herded everywhere, but near the players.
and Torii and Johan….
LD, what’s your basis for suspecting Torii and Johan?
Little Miss Sarcasm,
The comment was left to prove a point that every area-region has its drawbacks. I happen to live in an area that was decimated by fire recently. I also have many friends that live in the Houston-Galveston area so I am well aware of the pain that families endured.
GW ~
I’ve been going to ST for over 25 years, and although security is a lot tighter than it used to be, (you could practically work out with the team at Tinker Field in Orlando back in the day), Hammond Stadium is a pretty good place to get close to the players. You can’t roam the fields, but like Joe said, you can roam around the complex, and you’ll still get close to the players. Knowing who’s who, (instead of just “hey, bud” or something), helps. If you want autographs, bring your own sharpie. I personally think baseballs are the best thing to have signed, (they can be tossed). A friend of mine velcros a mini sharpie to the balls, and that seems to work well. Seriously. Be polite! That alone can open some doors for you. And, don’t forget your camera! I don’t know if you’re interested in partying or not, but Sanibel Island has quite a few fun places to go. Sanibel Grill and Doc Fords are a couple good ones. Again, you don’t see the ball players like you used to, but they do go out occasionally. Always fun to run into some players. (See be polite comment):-). Have a great time; maybe this will be the start of a terrific tradition for you. Play ball!
La Velle, I mentioned this under Joe C.’s last post as well, but I work at the Humphrey terminal and watched Bill Smith and Terry Ryan board a flight to Ft. Myers this morning. Since I can never get down to spring training, it’s nice to visually see how close ST and the season really are. Very cool!
I would have taken the liberty of introducing myself, but who wants to get bugged on travel day?
LOL Dillon -
You get points for “being polite”.
My sister just pointed out to me that I’ve been going to ST for closer to 35 years. (Since 1975). She says that the players still go out a lot, but that I am either at the places with the OTD crowd or already in bed! (Bless her heart)…
Anyone see the projected starting line-up for the twins in the new article on the webpage? I’ve been really optimistic over the past couple of weeks thinking that the Twins will easily win the division with or with out Crede ect. Then I read this article and this team looks a lot less impressive then my vision. All I’m saying is that this team will suffer if Cuddy and Buscher get the everyday jobs over DY and Harris. That would be just like Gardy to do that though. Make the lames prove that they can’t do the job in the first 2 months of the season. Meanwhile, the fans have to watch these bums lose their jobs and in the process lose us a couple games. Does anyone else feel this way?
Shaz, who’s a worse fielder - DY or Buscher? Hopefully neither will be in the starting lineup very long…the bad D cancels out the O ~
and no power…
Carl Pohlad was my biological father.
“Anyone have a guess who the Twins will knock off the 40-man roster to make room for Ayala?”
I’m thinking one of the catchers, but I’m hoping for a last second trade for Beltre.
I still think the Twins could sign Crede. Mostly by default. If Boras wants him signed, and Crede wants to sign, and if the Giants truely aren’t interested, where else can he go? He might sign here because he HAS to…and not for $7 Million dollars either…we’ll see.
After Abreu signing for a 5 million dollar base salary, this will lower Crede’s demands. Abreu is healthy and a much better hitter than Crede. Crede is younger and a little more pop maybe, but he also has been injured often. He does play better defense though.
3.5-4 million plus a bunch of incentives. If BS doesn’t at least offer this, then the Twins will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, sign anyone worth anything and we can all keep hoping for luck, guys battling their tails off, and our pitching staff to get us to the playoffs where we will be swiftly handed our arses on a silver platter and out in the first round.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/mariners-likely.html
You know, if they want an OF…the Twins have one they can spare (and no his name isn’t “Young”)
T i’m guessing you mean cuddy. abreu just signed for 5m and cuddy is getting 6.75 this yr. if you were the seattle gm what would you trade for cuddy?
What would Seattle trade for say Jason Pridie and Humber?
BCND
maybe a solid AAA prospect or Washburn?
“What would Seattle trade for say Jason Pridie and Humber?
Approximately the same amount as the Twins would trade for Mariners who have no value to the Mariners.
i got it they’d trade us silva. his contract is even worse than cuddy’s!
ggg,
” cuddy is getting 6.75 this yr. if you were the seattle gm what would you trade for cuddy?”
Seattle is trying to unload salaries.
They would trade Silva, Washburn, Batista or Jojima to get the Twins to pay those contracts instead of paying Cuddyer’s contract.
The Twins aren’t interested in acqiring worse contracts than Cuddyer’s.
ggg,
If you had told me that you were going to answer your own question, I would have stayed out of it.
I dont think they would give up much for Pridie but to say he’s without value is wrong. I dont think it’s too far fetched that Pridie makes the 40 man roster and Gomez doesn’t this spring.
BC,
Do you think there is a chance Carlos Gomez will be waived from the 40-man-roster?
What would make you think that?
“Do you think there is a chance Carlos Gomez will be waived from the 40-man-roster?”
No I thought Gomez still had options my bad. The only way they would release him is if he really stunk it up this spring and no one else wanted him in a trade.
I dont think it’s too far fetched that Pridie makes the 40 man roster and Gomez doesn’t this spring.
Huh? Both Gomez and Pridie are already on the 40 man roster.
Perhaps you meant make the 25 man big league roster on opening day?
Everytime I see the name “Pridie” I have a horrific flashback to that ball he bobbled in the outfield against the Blue Jays late last year. It didn’t directly lead to the tying run, but it sure didn’t help.
Anywhoo…Good times, good times.
BC,
As Chief said, Gomez could be sent to AAA, because he does have options remaining.
But if he was waived off the 40-man roster, he would be claimed by every other MLB team, IMO.
Correct Chief my humble apologies so was i wrong to assume they still had options with Gomez or not?
Thanks sane and i do believe Pridie has just as much chance of making the (25 man roster) as Gomez this spring. Hope i didn’t miss something there.
Yeah, I figured that’s what you meant.
My opinion though is that the chances of Gomez not being the Twins opening day centerfielder are near zero.
It’s hard to believe that Seattle has yet to dump salary. Batista, Washburn, Silva, and Beltre equals $42M! That’s $5M per win….
““What would Seattle trade for say Jason Pridie and Humber?”
“Approximately the same amount as the Twins would trade for Mariners who have no value to the Mariners.”
I apologize.
I mis-spoke when I said “no value”.
I should have said “minimal MLB value”.
bop,
“It’s hard to believe that Seattle has yet to dump salary. Batista, Washburn, Silva, and Beltre equals $42M!”
If no other team is willing to pay those salaries (and who would?), Seattle has to pay them.
Chief,
“My opinion though is that the chances of Gomez not being the Twins opening day centerfielder are near zero.”
I agree. Gomez is the outfielder most likely to be in the lineup every day, by all indications we’ve gotten.
Beltre is the exception.
His salary could be worth paying for one year.
i’m sure the mariners would love to dump salary but who wants to add salary at the other end? except the yankees there hasn’t been much spending this off season and they really only replaced stuff from last yr that went away. as far a beltre is concerned they should get 2 1st rd draft picks next yr for him so they probably want equal value, the 3 pitchers are nearly worthless, look a randy wolf gets 5m + incentives and he is a much better pitcher than any of those 3 and they are all over 10m.
Pridie has no chance of making the 25 man roster unless we trade one of our outfielders or someone gets injured. We will break camp with 13 position players and 12 pitchers. As of right know Joe Crede isn’t a Twin but that signing would obviously change our infield. Going with just what we have now I’d guess these will be the 13 position players on the opening day roster.
1.Morneau
2.Mauer
3.Span
4.Casilla
5.Cruddy
6.Bush
7.Kubes
8.LNP
9.Gomez
10.Young
11.Harris
12.Tolbert
13.Red Dog
I think Pridie can be a quality big league lead-off hitter. I’m not trying to bash him by saying he won’t make the team. We’re just full of young outfield talent.
My thought, sane, is that Beltre is the only bargaining chip. No one wants the salaries of the other three. That’s why I assign credibility to rumors regarding Washburn, but believe they involve a bona fide bargaining chip, ie. Beltre. Seattle is possibly balking at an offer from Billy Smith, throwing out names like Clement, hoping for a better option. But I just can’t believe the new GM goes into the season without first dumping $20M in salary or so. They apparently are shopping the FA discount racks for an OF. Don’t you just love the idea of taking Beltre and Washburn off their hands for Humber and Cuddyer and a smidgen of cash? I know, another pipe dream…
At the MLB level Pridie could challenge Gomez for team lead in strikeouts.
158IQ,
IMO, your position player list is correct.
The odds of getting to Opening Day, WITHOUT one of them on the DL, are not good.
ST injuries are a near certainty.
Good point about the draft picks for Beltre, ggg. I keep forgetting that.
I hope another team shares your admiration for Pridie, 158IQ. He strikes me as a Bobby Kielty-type journeyman in the making.
sane…
I agree. I would be surprised no wait shocked if both Cudaver and Kubel made it through ST healthy. Has it ever happened? Could those 2 if healthy really provide POP to the line-up?
Maybe he’ll always strike out too much. But he’s still young and his minor league numbers are impressive other than all the K’s. Strike outs aren’t that big of a deal to a lot of teams though.
We have a lot of players in the pipeline with athleticism, it seems. Hopefully we produce a couple of perennial All-Stars among this batch of Hicks, Ramos, Morales, Revere, Valencia, etc. Someone posted yesterday with the conclusion that our farm system sucks because BA or another publication failed to place a single Twin among the Top 50 prospects. What do you think of that?
bop,
Our best prospects (Hicks, Revere, Ramos, Morales etc) probably will impact BA rankings when they get closer to MLB.
Any kid in Rookie Ball or Low-A is an injury or mistake away from failure.
When (and if)the Twins best prospects get to AA or AAA, they will shoot up the charts.
One thing I refuse to criticize the club on is the farm system. The farm produced Mauer, Morneau, the bulk of the rotation, etc. There have been some deficiencies such as no big RH bat, but no farm system is perfect. Four division titles so far this decade with no FA signings that helped must mean the farm is pretty darn good. Or am I missing something?
part of the problem with the farm system is that it is unbalance both as far as player positions go (the Twins are fine with OF, 1B and C but lack SS and 3B) and as far as varieties of players go (the Twins have a lot of good athlete contact and gap hitters but not many HR threats and control type and not K type starting pitchers). That’s the reason that unless the Twins try to fix those deficiencies and draft and trade based on need and not athleticism, the system will be that highly rated.
Four division titles so far this decade with no FA signings that helped must mean the farm is pretty darn good. Or am I missing something?
yes. Trades. (Nathan, Bonser, Liriano, Bartlett, Young, Harris, Casilla, Gomez, Castillo, Punto, Silva, Lohse, Steward, Romero, Rick Reed) and cheap effective scrap pile pick ups and free agent signings (Reyes, Breslow, Guerrier, Santana, Redmond, Blanco, Kenny Rogers, Tony Fiore, Michael Jackson)
On my lunch break checking to see if there is any news today…big shock to find there is no news. I am bored out of my mind!
I think I kind of agree with you, thrylos, but not completely about the balance. SS is a problem, partly due to injuries (Paul Kelly, Andrew Thompson. I’ve heard others (Gleeman?) describe 3B as a position of depth, but perhaps you’re right. And didn’t we have some high K pitchers emerge last year, like Bromberg, Hunt, etc? Power hitters seem to still be a scarcity. And I totally agree with you about their need, especially in the past when the talent pool in the system was much weaker, to trade to fill holes. They have a pretty good long-term track record in that department, and most of us agree that Billy needs to be the come-back kid to earn status as a competent GM.
Yawn….I’m going back to work.
Correct on the trades, thry, but a significant portion of the guys brought in via trade also spent time in the minors in the Twins’s system. Also, most (if not all) were brought in via trade for guys brought up through the system. In other words, but for the farm, most of those trades would not have been possible. As for the FA’s, although I value guys like Redmond, none have been front line guys and they constitute a significant minority of the 25 man roster at any given time. The farm is the main reason for the club’s success this decade.
One of the more common misconceptions about the farm system is that it’s deep in pitching but light in hitting. If team ERA and team OPS serve as an acceptable indicator, the real story is different:
LEVEL ERA RK OPS RK WP% RK
AAA 4.12 6/14 .764 2/14 .514 6/14
AA 4.71 10/12 .735 8/12 .454 10/12
A+ 3.51 1/12 .725 3/12 .566 2/12
A- 3.85 11/14 .687 10/14 .514 8/14
R+ 4.37 8/10 .823 1/10 .621 1/10
GCL 2.98 2/16 .753 2/16 .625 2/16
DSL 2.35 2/37 .671 14/37 .657 1/10
Some of these numbers are probably meaningless, but I find them interesting. My rough conclusion is that the farm system is in good shape and getting better.
Interesting data, bop.
I also point out that the original question was whether the farm “sucks,” not whether it is perfect or the best in MLB. That is the basis on which I constructed my posts. The farm is not perfect, but it is a strength. It definitely doesn’t suck.
I can’t wait to see Shooter Hunt at the big league level! Does anyone know if they plan to move him along faster because he has the college experience already?
what will be the next big report from spring training, that cuddy has some new magic tricks? maybe nicky is cooking up some italian meatballs for cuddy to juggle?
Shooter Hunt will move slowly, because:
1) He started pitching late.(ex-catcher)
2) His command is his biggest problem, and the only time will fix that.
Carlos Gutierrez, on the other hand, will advance quickly because of his MLB-ready heavy sinker. There are many MLB pitchers who have suceeded with (virtually) that one pitch only.
sane, who among the pitching prospects excites you the most?
speaking for sane i’d say jenny finch!!
Finch got cut.
birdofprey I’m curious to see how well David Bromberg does this year he’s a strikeout machine.
“who among the pitching prospects excites you the most?”
Short-term - Mijares, Swarzak
Medium - Slama, Delaney, Mulvey, Manship
Long term - Gutierrez, Hunt, Robertson, McCardell
ggg has it right.
Jenny Finch excites me!
The other guys are just pitchers.
Be honest sane the idea of Ron Coomer in spandex excites youas well.
BC,
Not so much.
The idea of Ron Coomer in the Cone of Silence would be a hell of a lot better.
Get Smart love it.
Be honest sane the idea of Ron Coomer in spandex excites youas well.
Ewwww.
But you must admit, it beats the alternative. You know…the idea of Coomer sans his spandex.
sane…
Thanks for responding and I think you’re correct. Control is the most important thing for any pitcher. I don’t like to hear that about Carlos Gutierrez. Sinkerball pitchers drive me crazy. I hope the Twins trade him. That’s all we need is another guy who gives upon way too many hits only to have the coaches continually say it’s OK because he gets double play ground balls to make up for it. Pitch for Strike outs not ground outs.
shazel,
Shooter Hunt=Nuke LaLoosh…may even come with garter belt as well
Regards,
BC,
“the idea of Ron Coomer in spandex’
If that is what inhabits your dreams, stop eating Hot Wings after 6PM.
I was just joshin with ya and i know a terrible mind is a good thing to waste.
BC,
No problem.
That is pretty much how I talk to my friends and how they respond.
i’ll stick to jenny finch but feel free to dream about “coomer in spandex” there just isn’t a valid reason to share those with the rest of us.
they may work as a crash diet, however.
Sane i think the spirit of jimmybee invaded me for a minute or two where’s that knucklehead been lately.
shazel,
“Sinkerball pitchers drive me crazy. I hope the Twins trade him. That’s all we need is another guy who gives upon way too many hits …Pitch for Strike outs not ground outs.”
I will take any five from List “S” (for sinkerballers) below:
Roy Halladay
Brandon Webb
Tim Hudson
Chien-Ming Wang
Derek Lowe
Orel Hershiser
In the words of Crash Davis;
“Strikeouts are Facist!”
The rumor is, that jimmybee and Craig have moved in together.
“The rumor is, that jimmybee and Craig have moved in together.”
ROFL is it possible they both got banned from all the blogs?
BC,
I have seen a Craig post recently, but it looks like jimmy bee has buzzed off.
sane, don’t you know better than to stir up a quiet bee’s nest?
sane….
I love that you pay attention to details, but I just want different things as a fan than you do. My guess is that I’m younger than you. I want HR’s and SO’s. Yes, I realize that MLB has pandered to idiots like me and ruined the integrity of the game but that’s what I like to see. If I’m going to watch a pitchers dual I want to watch Lincicum vs Peavy not greg maddox vs Livan Hernandez. If I’m going to watch a shoot out type game I want it to have 6 HR’s not 25 base hits.
What’s so hot about Jenny Finch?
Sandy Koufax said he went from a really good pitcher to a great pitcher when he stopped trying to strike everybody out.
Hudson,Webb,Hershiser, and Halladay were/are capable of racking up strike outs they just pitch a different style. Any pitcher who gives up fewer hits than innings pitched is OK with me. Most sinkerball pitcher though give up a ton of hits.
Maybe I’m just jaded from watching Ponson, Silva, Mays, Blackburn, Erickson ect. Every inning were hoping for a double play to get us out of a jam.
“What’s so hot about Jenny Finch?”
I must have missed your obituary, Walter.
My condolences to your family.
shazel,
You took the words right out of my post.
All sinkerballers are not Carlos Silva.
So this gutierez? is he the real deal or another Silva?
“So this gutierez? is he the real deal or another Silva?”
Gutierrez will be as good as his secondary pitches. He has a great (but inconsistent) slider and is learning a change-up.
His sinker will get him to MLB, but he will, in fact be a Carlos Silva impersonator until he perfects the slider and change-up. That may happen quickly, at least with the slider development.
Carlos Gutierrez is a relief pitcher. What difference does he make? I thought we were talking about starting pitchers? Sinker ball pitchers as relievers is cool with me. Most relievers now days are sinker/slider guys.
I’m not sure when the 60 day DL starts, but I know it’s before opening day. Possibly the first day of ST games.
Carlos Gutierrez was (is?) a starter exclusively until he had TJ surgery in 2007. When he returned to Miami this year, he was innings-limited so they gave him the closer job.
The Twins drafted him to be a starter and are going to try him as a starter ASAP. If that circles the drain, he will end up back in the bullpen.
Carlos Gutierrez is a relief pitcher.
nope. He relieved last year (in college and in the minors) to slowly adjust from TJ surgery
Most relievers now days are sinker/slider guys.
nope. Most relievers these days are 4-seamer/change up/breaking ball (slider or curve) guys
Carlos Gutierrez??? isn’t he the guy the Twins drafted in the first round? Yea, and everyone said that he has NO second viable pitch. Oh, I really think we’ll see Shooter find his control before Carlos Gutierrez pulls a second pitch out of his you know what. So I have to disagree know that the fog has cleared.
Kevin H,
“I’m not sure when the 60 day DL starts, but I know it’s before opening day”
From Cot’s:
“Once the season ends, a player on the 60-day disabled list must be reinstated to the 40-man roster or designated for assignment”
I took that to mean that there is no DL in the off-season, but I guess that it doesn’t actually say that.
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2003/01/transactions-glossary.html
Ever the contrarian Thrylos 98
I’m sure you’ll site your source.
sane,
there is no DL during the off season. DL starts at the first day of the regular season.
site whoops! LOL
shazel,
simple question: how many sinkerball (2-seamer) relievers do the Twins have? Last year it was only Bass (and Guerrier occasionally throws a cutter that might look like a two seamer). A two seamer is about 3-5 mph slower than a four seamer and relievers prefer to get their speed up.
shazel,
“everyone said that he has NO second viable pitch”
When “everyone says” something, I immediately disregard it, because it is so often untrue.
Throwing sliders while recovering from TJ surgery, may gain the patient more surgeries, so Gutierrez was a one-pitch pony last year.
The reports I have read on his slider, indicate that he has a potentially plus second pitch.
The scouts didn’t see it at Miami last year, so like Bigfoot, it must not exist.
Oh, dear Lord. The offseason has gotten so boring sane is having to give BC of ND dietary advice so as to avoid posting references to (shudder, shudder, vomit) Ron Coomer in Spandex. And then, to top it off, WJ asks what’s the big deal about Jenny Finch. Er . . .
So what you’re telling me sane is that last year while pitching for The Miracle Carlos Gutierrez threw more than just a sinker? More than just one pitch in his 16 RELIEF appearances? Is he going to start this season in the A+ starting rotation? When are/did they cut this kid loose to start throwing this slider?
No respect for Delmon with this 1-year deal… take a look at the details!
“More than just one pitch in his 16 RELIEF appearances?”
Like MANY closers, he relied on one great pitch. He probably threw a few sliders, with the lack of conviction that most TJ surgery survivors experience. He, likely, also threw a few change-ups, which he was just learning.
But ONLY his sinker was a viable pitch at Miami last year.
I assume, that as the surgery faded into the past, the slider became easier to throw with conviction in the minors.
This year, almost two years removed from TJ, the slider MAY have a rebirth.
Here we go again,Gutierrez will not make it because he doesn’t have a second pitch.He’s 22,Gomez was 22 last year,DY was 22 last year.Gomez will never learn to hit the slider,DY is already a flop as the first overall pick.All three might improve after age 22,i know it’s not done often(sarcasm,for those who have the above mindset),but they can beat the odds.The old baseball term”Hope Springs Eternal”!
Geno, I agree. There are a lot of 22 year old players still in college when they are drafted. The Twins will still be one of the youngest teams in MLB this year. (Maybe the youngest). There is still plenty of room for improvement. To me, DEPTH of talent is more of a concern that potential improvement at the major league level. It appears to me that the next wave of high potential players is mostly in the lower levels.
coco,i agree back,most of the prospects are in lower ball.In yet,Revere,Hicks and Morales have such special gifts that they may be on the fast track like Garza and Slowey(although the college experience helped them greatly!
Interestingly, GENO, I find myself agreeing (sort of) with the generalization behind your conviction (choose conviction here) about the likelihood that young players will improve in some predictable pattern. Or not. I can’t tell. Can any of the data geniuses out there come up with some evidence about what percentage of 22 year olds progress versus the percentage of same that regress? Hmm. Maybe that’s why I like scouting reports so much.
birdofprey-You kind of made my point,if the scouts rated them high as prospects,the chances are good they will improve and peek between ages 27-32.
Thrylos98 writes:
“Nathan, Bonser, Liriano, Bartlett, Young, Harris, Casilla, Gomez, Castillo, Punto, Silva, Lohse, Steward, Romero, Rick Reed) and cheap effective scrap pile pick ups and free agent signings (Reyes, Breslow, Guerrier, Santana, Redmond, Blanco, Kenny Rogers, Tony Fiore, Michael Jackson [weren’t from the Twins’ FS].”
Yea, but Liriano, Bartlett, Casilla, Punto, and Santana spent a lot of time in the Twins’ FS.
That’s been my impression too, GENO, but I have started to question that since joining this blog. I keep hearing that Cuddyer is in decline, that Mauer has peaked, that Casilla will regress, ad infinitum. And these are often views expressed by people who are poring over data points, and that regard the staff employed by the Twins to make these assessments as being rather bad at it. I certainly am clueless, yet I just can’t get my hands around why some of our buddies on here are so certain, and I want them to share the damn formula. I’ll pay top dollar.
Don’t worry. Obama will save the Twins at 3rd base along with the world…
It’s official!! I am against the potential signing of Joe Crede (which means the Twins WILL sign him today!)
His overall number are JUNK and the 2006 numbers ARE a fluke. take a look as a comparison to Torii hunter (He was a special player) and Crede’s numbers. leave positions aside and look:
Hunter(1999-2008) G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Career 1380 5043 757 1371 296 28 213 789 369 978 145 65 0.272 0.326 0.468 0.795
Crede(2000-2008) G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Career 798 2768 350 712 143 4 125 422 170 403 4 12 0.257 0.306 0.447 0.753
The Pirates continue to serve as a rest home for former Twins.
This time Garret Jones!
I think Jones will do well in Pit.
Come on Len3 give us the news that Crede signed for $4.1 million with incentives to $7 million i know it’s going to happen i feel it in my bones.
Atta BC of ND…I like your optimism. I gotta say, even though I infamously “booked” Crede going to the Giants, I got a strange feeling too. Not sure if that’s a good thing for the Twins or if it’s the breakfast burrito I ate this morning.
Either way, a 4 mill guaranteed with incentives up to 7 makes an awful lot of sense to me.
Come on Joe..You know you’re getting antsy and want to help your buddies Mauer and Morneau win the Central. You know it. Fight the evil foces of Boras. You can do it.
If Crede signs with the Twins, I will be cautiously optimistic.
Like when you watch Gomez or Span plowing into the wall when making a catch. Or when watching AP trying to break tackles.
You’re just like “Alright…good job. But DON’T hurt yourself!”
Speaking of injury:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/sheets-undergoe.html
Sheets will apparently be available in time for contenders to consider him as a midseason pickup.
BC of ND,
Its good to read that you are upbeat.
I thought that you may have experienced another “Coomer in Spandex” dream and the resulting post-traumatic effects.
But, apparently are a “battler’ like Punto, and have bounced back from the horror.
WOW! I wonder if the Twins would consider Sheets?
mlbtraderumors on Sheets:
“If healthy, he will be extremely attractive to contender”
First, the Twins will have to qualify as a contender on July 31.
Forget Crede. Trade Cuddy, Kubel and something with value for a 3B and sign Griffy Jr. to DH. He could be superman hitting DH at the dome!
Everyone keeps bashing D-Young. But he is a kid that did hit .290!!!!! Cuddy and Kubel together can’t hit .290! His power will come. I am excited to see what the prove it to us contract does. His D is suspect, but it will improve this year I think. Kubel and Cuddy are just a DL visit in the waiting. And its not like .260 hitters with average power are hard to find!
Crede’s the man if he’s healthy!
I’m day dreaming again….
1.Span LF
2.Mauer C
3.Young RF
4.Morneau 1B
5.Crede 3B
6.Casilla 2B
7.Kubel DH
8.Harris SS
9.Gomez CF
Probably never see this but this line-up could outscore last years. I know a lot of you are thinking I’m crazy putting Young 3rd, but look what hitting between M&M did for Cruddy. Kubel and Young could flip flop between 3rd and 7th depending on if the starter was left or right handed. Kubel bats third against righties and Young against lefties.
Crede averages (IF he can play 160 games)
.257 25 HR and 86 RBI That would be a nice upgrade. But if the back is not healthy (as many teams must agree) he is not worth the bet. Better to trade for something more expensive and more durable!
I would rather see Cuddy at DH then Kubel. I think Kubel is the most over rated Twin EVER! He chokes when you need him. And his stike outs in the clutch make Delmons first strike swings make sense!
Come on LENIII…it has been two solid days since you’ve put up a new entry. Give us something. I don’t care if it’s what you had for dinner last night…ok, I’m not really interested in that. But give us something!
You want something?
From the Oliva article this morning:
The Twins remain interested in free-agent third baseman Joe Crede, but the sides continue to differ on how much guaranteed money he deserves.
Crede would like about $7 million guaranteed, plus incentives. Indications are that the Twins would prefer to sign Crede to a deal that, with incentives, would reach around $7 million.
There you have it.
I agree with scottz…we need something from someone. This is killing me!
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Delmon Young and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1,152,000 contract.
Young gets a raise from the $700,000 he made last season, but his salary is technically being cut the maximum allowable 20 percent when the final prorated share of his initial $3.7 million signing bonus ($770,000) is factored in.
I agree with scottz…we need something from someone. This is killing me!
Read the post I wrote directly above yours.
The Twins/Crede talks appear to have reached a point where the 7 mil is no longer an issue, but rather the question is how much will be guaranteed.
Goldstein has his Top 100 prospects list up. Revere and Hicks are both in the low 30s. However, both of them are:
1)Behind Michael Bowden
2)Ahead of FMart
3)Ahead of Carlos Carrasco, who is rated as a 5-star player.
Therefore, even though KG hasn’t posted the Twins’ Top 11, they must both be 5-stars.
No other Twin made the list, which ends still in the 4-star range.
I meant “high 30s”–#36 and #39
That blurb from the Oliva article bodes well for a Crede signing. Any idea how many times the Twins have seen him work out?
I’m getting a premonition that the Twins will sign him today, Friday 13th, and his back will go out during the signing ceremony, reaching to grab the pen that rolled off the table.
I think Kubel is the most over rated Twin EVER! And his stike outs in the clutch
I assume that the “ever” is poetically licensed…
career slash numbers in high leverage situations:
Morneau .290/.354/.546 .900 OPS
Kubel .286/.351/.500 .851 OPS
Mauer: .285/.410/.401 .811 OPS
and a blast from the past:
Hunter: .263/.320/.454 .774 OPS
Puckett: .321/.365/.488 .853 OPS
so… he is about as “clutch” as Puckett, better than Mauer and much better than Hunter.
AM,
Goldstein’s list for the Royals was up yesterday. The Twins are next, so I expect it out this weekend or by Monday.
Scouts.com released their 300 prospect list and the Twins top 20. Because 2 different people made those, there is an interesting disparity. (got it up at my blog no need to re-post it here; if anyone is interested, click my name up there)
jkucenic sane
I had a dream last night that the Twins signed Crede. The first thing he did was tell Punto to just watch the middle of the infield he’ll take the left side.
Then again maybe it was just Coomer in spandex shorts and Yankee pinstripes.
Going back to my strange feeling…I think it was actually the breakfast burrito, but I’m still holding out hope.
his back will go out during the signing ceremony, reaching to grab the pen that rolled off the table.
Nah. It’ll be during Tuesday’s Press Conference when they formally introduce him. He’ll tweak his spine twisting his shoulder’s to get into the uniform Smith’s trying to slide on him.
I’m getting a premonition that the Twins will sign him today, Friday 13th, and his back will go out during the signing ceremony, reaching to grab the pen that rolled off the table.
funny
Crede will probably add up to a single win over a 65/35 Harris/Buscher platoon and probably half a win over a 90/10 Harris/Buscher platoon. That’s an expensive win.
I’ll take that single win…We could’ve used that win last year.
I forgot it was Friday the 13th now if his name was Jason Crede then it would definitely be bad luck to sign him today.
We could’ve gotten that win…if Nathan could make a decent throw to third.
Or if Morneau decided he didn’t want to take the week off there in September.
good one jkucenic.
T Come on now you know the reason they lost last year falls squarely on the shoulders of the GOP. That and Palins wardrobe
thrylos98,
Your stats on Kubel do not hold up, because Morneau and Mauer do it against both LH and RH hitters. Kubel can only hit righties. He is horrible against lefties. If he played consistently against lefties, those numbers would be considerably lower.
You know who you can’t blame for what happened last year??
Howie Clark. His game-winning double against the Rangers on May 20th was HUGE and arguably the reason why this team got to the 1-game playoff.
I still think they should sign Crede.
Actually,
The playoff occured because Gardy was STUPID and started Liriano in the last KC series.
Regards,
Kubel is a descent softball player at best. Cuddy I love the guy, but how hard is it to find someone that will hit .250 with 15 HR and 70 RBI. Lots of regular starters hit .250, but they are regulars because they hit 40+ HR and drive in 100!
Hey Lavelle, I truly enjoy your columns and your shows on KFAN…Thanks for all you do for TWINS baseball.
