Twins-Empire: Perkins has a fever. I have Twitter fever.
Posted on July 8th, 2009 – 4:29 PMBy La Velle
That’s right. I have joined Twitter nation!
I’ll be able to post news updates and occasional observations during games, but I’ll try to mix in some humor when I can. Some funny things happen in the pressbox during games. Patrick Reusse is throwing anything he can get away with on his account. He just tweeted about me chatting with George King in the pressbox a few minutes ago, unable to resist mentioning our connection to the controversial Pedro-no-MVP vote several years ago!!!
Feel free to follow me on twitter! Here’s my link!
Was driving to the park when I got wind of the pitching switch. Perkins apparently has a major fever - no, there’s no word if it’s Yankee Fever! My guess is that everyone will move up a day in the rotation, so Francisco Liriano will face the Yankees tomorrow.
The Twins have signed two Domincan shortstops they feel have pretty good ceilings: Jorge Polanco and Jonatan Ynojoso.
Update: Perkins could start tomorrow if he feels better. But, as of right now, Francisco Liriano is set to start the series finale. Sounds like Perk will return to the rotation whenever he feels better.
Why push it? Give Perk a day to make sure he’s regained some his strength and send him out against the Pale Hose….
Lineups
Yankees (49-34)
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Brett Gardner, CF
RHP A.J. Burnett
Twins (43-41)
1. Denard Span, LF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Jason Kubel, DH
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto
RHP Anthony Swarzak
237 Responses to "Twins-Empire: Perkins has a fever. I have Twitter fever."
cuddy in front of kubs i like it. first?
When will Gardy understand Harris is not a 2-hitter. Put Mauer back there already.
As excited as I am about Polanco, who seems to be the better of the two, the signing I like best is Max Kepler from Germany. 16 years old, best Euro prospect in a while.
Any word on if he’ll play in the states this season?
So Mauer at 2 would be this:
Span
Mauer
Morneau
Cuddyer
Kubel
Crede
Harris
Gomez
Punto
That works too….
Glad to see Morneau passed up the derby…seems like a small amount of justice there.
That’s a better lineup, Adam S.
And in a month, when Gardy finally realizes that Nick Punto can no longer be excused in his starting 9, we’ll have a better lineup yet…
Why we have to wait to rectify the obvious flaws is beyond me.
And yes, I’m aware we have nothing better at the moment. Matt Tolbert is making the last guy who wore No. 20 for us look like an All Star.
“Jonatan Ynojoso”
That is not a real name.
My spellcheck just blew a fuse.
So neither Jason nor Justin Morneau will be in the Derby now?
I’d like to see a second HR Derby with guys like Jason Tyner and Punto and David Eckstein as a warm-up act for the main event.
“I’d like to see a second HR Derby with guys like Jason Tyner and Punto and David Eckstein as a warm-up act for the main event.”
You could hold that HR Derby in a phone booth.
You could hold that HR Derby in a phone booth.
And they STILL couldn’t hit it out.
//rim shot//
yuck, i’d rather inflict terrible pain upon myself with many sharp and nasty objects than take part in the internet fad that is twitter.
sane, i checked with the Twins. That’s how he spells his name. How about that?
Any trade talk for a 2B heating up?
Tonigt with Swarzak who has bribed the BABIP gods those “lucky” hits the Yankees had last night will turn into HR.
Then Dick and Bert can cry about the 200 million dollar payroll instead of the lucky Yankees.
The Yankee lineup is an incredible list of proven veteran sluggers. Young Swarzak has a tough assignment (understatement of the year). If he can produce a quality start, he would prove he is worthy of a starting position and everyone’s respect.
Really, Harris as been punterrible in the #2 spot, hitting about .222 no walks, little power, lots of k’s. Conincidence or otherwise he shouldn’t be there. I’d actually think it would make more sense to put Punto up there, at least he can still draw a walk.
““Jonatan Ynojoso”
“sane, i checked with the Twins. That’s how he spells his name. How about that?”
Thanks, LaVelle!
I just used that kid’s name and won $3000 in a Las Vegas Scrabble Tournament.
Kidding!
I’m with tamizuka that twitter is the worst thing that has popped up. Aren’t people spending enough time on the computer and smart phones already? They must be paying people to announce they are on it and to follow them so they get more sign-ups. Must be near selling stock and want to surpass Google
There’s no need to be a Luddite. Though I’m not a Twitterer myself I certainly can recognize and appreciate the benefits of this new medium.
I hope that Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel’s towering home runs tonight inspire many a Tweet by LaVelle!
Lavelle, it is not the empire without the ‘evil’ in front of it.
Blue Jays just gave up on pitcher BJ Ryan and his $ 10M/annum salary.
Anybody interested?
Twitter…I don’t know about you other old timers, but Twitter was a term we used when we felt up and touched our first girlfriend’s Twitter. 
eh…. I would imagine the memory of Perkins’ last outing vs. those guys could be fever inducing…
major fever, anxiety disorder… what’s the dif
ugh, this is going to be a long night.
Rookie vs. Yankees. Uh-oh.
Welcome to the Optimists Club Reunion.
Well it worked for Scott Bakers in 2006, being inexperienced. But yes I know, not much to feel hopeful about. Don’t forget how much better he looked, specifically his curveball at his last start in Chicago. So there’s at least hope.
BJRyan has that big contract that goes through next year, would we have to take that on?
All part of the negotiations of any trade, kjb. That is what we do not understand.
Details on the BJ Ryan contract
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/jays-release-ryan/article1211090/
Let’s get the bats going now!
only 24 outs to go …
DrDon, even though he was released we’d still need to trade for him?
Don’t know.
Freakin dive span.
Span caught sleeping
He would have been fine if he would have dove.
So will the Twins get swept in there own park?
this is going lot better than last night!
Hard to fault Perkins for calling in sick after seeing what the Yanks did to Twins pitching last night…
Those players in the bottom of the lineup look better then they should with all the player Yankees have on that team.
can we please get out of this inning without any more runs scored. Ugh
So I turn on the game just in time to see a pathetic 2-2 pitch to Gardner.
Nothing fastball, thigh high in the middle of the plate.
You can’t get Brett F’ing Gardner out, Swarzak?
And no, once a player is released the team that released him is on the hook for the rest of his contract. Any team picking him up is only responsible for a prorated portion of the MLB minimum.
YAY!! Another multiple run deficit to come back from this series…How much to be the Yanks get 10 runs again tonight??
But Chief, Gardner is a Yankee! The way the Twins play them that means will look like a HOFer for this series.
Thing that bothers me the most is hearing the Twins are last in the AL in stolen bases.
Caw Caw Caw
I’m not going to watch all of tonights game, if things continue the way they are. I took enough punishment last night.
I absolutely loathe Brett Gardiner. At this point, just bean him next time. Just because. Hell, bean somebody.
why do the twins always wear skirts when they play the yankees - it is pathetic.
Just switched to PBS and they were talking about the Hinckley fire. A 75mph fire tornado…thought I was still watching Twins v Yanks.
does anyone know if its possible to get twins broadcasts on a cell phone?
I think Morneau swings at as many first pitches as Delmon does, at least it sure seems like that lately!
does anyone know if its possible to get twins broadcasts on a cell phone?
If you have an Iphone/Itouch the MLB At Bat app has the Gameday pitch by pitch and both team’s radio feeds.
Looks like the Twins will be relying on the Yankees to help them score.
D,
You mean audio? I know you can with the iphone or ipod touch (if you have wifi access) Probably the blackberry or other smartphones too. I think for $10 bucks I picked up MLB at Bat 2009 app. Includes in-game audio, streaming video for select out of market games (usually 2 games a day), The mlb.com gameday app, along with a condensed version of the game, and misc. video clips that you usually find on the Twins site. I don’t work for them, but I was very impressed for the price.
D,
I used to have the Gameday Radio on my cell phone with Sprint. Was $5.99 a month I believe.
yankees question: David Cone got his only career save for a future Twins closer
MLB at bat app is great
I agree with Camden that the At Bat app is great. Perfect for day games at work. Also nice since they’ve added the condensed games.
do you know if it works on a blackberry?
I’m not sure, but I would check into it. A lot of that kind of stuff they make two versions for, iphone and blackberry.
cool thanks for the help….just moved and need to find a way to get my twins broadcasts…going a little crazy not being able to listen to them
tonight I am enjoying the web feed of the yankees broadcast
pretty quiet in here tonight…swarzek looking as rough as he is sounding?
He’s done a good job (or lucky) getting this far with only giving up 3 runs.
I was impressed it was his first walk of the night
Does every break have to go the Yankees way, every time we play them?
Wow, even the newbies like Swarzak are scared of the Yankees. That Gardy is a hell of a magician, he turns an entire roster into weak-kneed sissies at the sight of the “NY” hats.
The only downside to MLB’s iPhone/iTouch app is that you miss the first 30 minutes of pregame coverage.
Let’s get some runs.
is that LNP 3rd walk in 2 days?
Mike- Im just debating if I should get the MLB package from the web or on my phone…for 6 bucks a month I can try it out on my phone and see how I like it…the versatility is something I am looking for
they are still talking about jeter getting thrown out at third base… Im thinking they need to get over it
Jankees will whine and jeez every call that isn’t their way. For a $201M lineup, disgusting.
I just thought that if that play happened on any other team it doesnt really even make sportscenter…maybe a little side not and thats about all
That was a pretty worthless AB Cuddy.
At least those were two good pitches to swing at Cuddy! AHHHHHHHHHH!
if anyone is interested the breakdown from last night (not including bilboards and such) was Yankees batting for 1 hour and 46 minutes and the Twins batting for 1 hour and 3 minutes…. and the billboards and discover minnesota are generally tacked on to the Twins side so they are probably under an hour of actually batting.
He just can’t lay off those pitches. He just can’t.
seems like a long time to be in the field for a defense
Cuddyer saw 1 strike in that AB, and that’s the pitch he watched.
Pathetic.
You must be joking with that AB, Cuddy. Even Bert couldn’t sugar coat that.
Cuddy looked foolish…boo to gardy for moving him up in the line-up…..seriously that was a high school at bat….at least look decent up there!
did morneau get a hittable pitch to swing at?
cuddyer looks horrible at the plate, and is absolutely worthless lately in clutch situations. i’d take gomez’s erratic at bats anyday over an automatic out when we need it most.
Cuddyer still can’t lay off that low and away pitch…
He did, D. A couple of those pitches called balls were pretty close.
Cuddyer looked like an absolute idiot there. This team looks like a bunch of little leaguers when they play the Yankees…sickening.
That cuddy at bat reminded me of the horrible at bats he took in the extra inning tiger game. He doesn’t seem to handle guys on base well
thats a bit disappointing..you know they would rather face cuddy in that situation
Terrible terrible ab by Cuddyer. They throw him 4 pitches/3 balls, and he gives himself away. Pathetic.
Cuddy, I know you have been swinging at those junk balls low and away since 2003 but I have yet to see you hit one. Lay off them.
hey I found a station that puts the twins broadcasts online! sweet!
Sure wish Kubel had been back in his #5 spot!
I generally don’t like Cuddy-bashing - but anecdotally it sure seems like he strikes out a lot with runners on. I took a gander at baseball-reference and it confirmed my suspicions:
Cuddy’s line this year with no one on:
.317/.377/.634 in 159 Plate Appearances
Cuddy’s line with men on base:
.236/.339/.407 in 165 Plate Appearances.
It gets worse…
Bases Loaded: 1 for 10 with 4 K’s
Runner on 3rd with 2 out:
3 for 21 with 5 K’s.
I wonder what to make of this, does he have issues with tension? Perhaps he is over-anxious in high pressure situations?
I apologize if this topic has already been beaten to death. I don’t read the blogs all that often.
Kubel should have been batting there anyhow…poor managerial decision
Sure wish Go-GO were batting after Morneau tonight!
Dave- thanks for the stats..I always enjoy the breakdowns…I actually am one of the few that like cuddy (or at least it seems that way) disappointed to see those stats
When is Punto going to learn to keep the ball on the ground and run.
Every time you pop one up, you owe me 10 push ups.
Looks like this will be another wasted inning…
kirby- love it!
SssuperDave,
Intersting numbers. By interesting I mean crummy for Cuddy. Thanks for passing them along.
Here sure looks like a trying to hard at time which is why we see so many swings and bad pitches in this situations instead of waiting for his pitch.
I say LNP needs to work another walk
Giving this game away.
the slider low and away always seems to get cuddy
how in the world does Punto not bunt there. He’s batting .217. He has a pretty good chance of getting on with a bunt especially when he breaks a finger sliding into first. Is this a major league team? When do the Vikings start?
You’d hate to argue that a game comes down to one at-bat, but if this score holds up, there will be a lot of talk about Cuddy’s AB with the bases loaded in the fifth. We needed better there.
Nice work on the research, SssuperDave.
Well that one’s not on Harris, he did everything he could given where they told him to play. I’m still trying to figure out how Texeria beat that out.
mlb.com gameday app is 14.99 a year or 2.99 a month
“Has RA Dickey been the best offseason pickup?”
Well, maybe if you just talk about the pitching staff.
But Joe Crede would like a few words with you if you use the phrase “overall pickup”
Is everytime anyone hits a ball to the outfield “A Drive!” for Dick? When a guy is 20-30 feet short of the track is it possible it’s just a pop-up?
You know, for all the bemoaning of not getting a key bullpen player…it seems like a few of these callups have been filling in quite nicely thus far (save for Henn)
D-do you have a linky link to the online broadcast?
Harrys really struggling.
Who loves a little Coke?
Nicely done, Joe. He apparently remembers Jim Souhan wrote that he would never be a power hitter.
Dick, are you telling me that WASN’T a drive? Really?
You’d hate to argue that a game comes down to one at-bat, but if this score holds up, there will be a lot of talk about Cuddy’s AB with the bases loaded in the fifth. We needed better there.
Yup. It’s one thing to make an out. Every player makes outs. Lots of ‘em. But he saw only one pitch in the strike zone the entire AB. He took strike one. From that point on, there was apparently no pitch Burnett could throw that was poor enough for Cuddyer not to hack at…and he didn’t even get good hacks. Half-swings, that had no chance of resulting in a hard hit ball even if he DID somehow make contact.
He gave the AB away.
In the words of Charles Barkley, “Turrbul. Jus’ Turrble.”
stinky- I do but you cant tell anyone else about it!
Time to drop the other hammer Morneau.
Mauer kicking his Coke habit. 
That’s at least the second time this season Mauer has JUST MISSED going deep in an AB and then actually gone deep in the next one.
Good call, T, re: the bullpen.
I’ve been saying for weeks it’s not our No. 1 concern. These guys are doing okay.
Umm, we better get our runs here in the 7th…because Rivera will get two innings if needed. Like Souhan said, Nathan and Rivera are two of a kind.
Good job FSN cutting off Dick telling us who was coming out to pitch.
I am quite amazed at how the ball seems to carry just far enough off Joe’s bat this year
Its because he is about the closest thing to jesus.
Lol except the first at-bat tonight, D. Last night he also had a warning track to left shot. Actually, I was starting to wonder if Mauer reverted back to “warning track power” prior to that homer tonight.
God Cuddyer is horrible.
It may not seem like a lot, but that dropped foul ball by Morneau just ahead of the A-Rod single is looming large as well.
I am quite amazed at how the ball seems to carry just far enough off Joe’s bat this year
Somebody should check to see if they didn’t scooth home plate forward a bit prior to the season starting.
Jason- it seems like he was stuck on 14 hrs for awhile…unless i am imagining that too
Did I mention I wish anyone besides Cuddy were hitting behind Morny tonight.
SssuperDave,
Your numbers only get worse for Cuddy.
At least he was patient and saw a pitch or two from the new guy coming in or got one he could handle and turned on it. 
Keys to the game so far tonight that have killed the twins.
1) Span getting picked- He would have been at 3rd with 1 out after that pop up
2) Cuddyer’s terrible AB with the bases loaded.
3) Morneau - Looks foolish at the plate and that foul ball that dropped out.
Man you get the feeling this game would be key if we picked up the W (assuming we win tomorrow as well, of course).
Some of our starters may have taken some bad ABs tonight, but I have faith in our bench of Redmond, Tolbert, Buscher, and Morales to come through in the late innings.
Wait…who has Bill Smith’s number handy?
was morneau’s non catch as tough as they made it sound?? they made it seem like it would have been an exceptional play
gracias D! thought mlb tried to force everyone to pay for the stream. ha!
D: Mauer spun his wheels on 13 before finally breaking through to set a new record for season HR.
He was, D. Nice to see he picked up a HR tonight.
I sure wish the rest of the team would catch on.
Grrrr…there goes the kiss of death, Bert just “called” a Twins comeback win.
Guess we can only hope not to get swept now, lol.
D: It was off the tip of his glove. He was running so his back was to the ball but it was off the tip.
Cuddy seems to be a hitter who guesses alot on the pitch. At times he sits on off speed pitches and you will seem him take fastballs down the middle other times flailing away on sliders outside trying to jump on it thinking its a fastball..
He has some holes in his swing but he is having a decent year.
It would’ve been a very nice play, D. It was an over-the-shoulder play on the bullpen mound…the fact that it hit his glove made it look like a silly mistake, though.
“He has some holes in his swing but he is having a decent year.”
He is having a decent year. But sometimes it take more than “decent” if you want to make the playoffs.
Okay, Cuddy and Punto combine for a nice throw out.
no prob stinky! you do owe me though… I spent about an hour and a half looking for a site
What bugs me about Cuddy was that there was a period of time when he was drawing a TON of walks, and that came right before he got hot for a few weeks.
Then it seems like he went back to what he was doing before.
thinking the morneau play would have been like hrbek running down there to make the catch
precisely, D. Hrbie was good at those.
stinky- just dont want them to catch on and take away what we can get for free!
This has the look of one of those the Twins need to steal a “W” from. Maybe in the manner the Yanks did to them in NY.
The Bullpen has kept them in it after a shaky start from AS. Just enough offense to be one rally inning away from winning.
Got to happen in the 8th most likely unless Delmon is coming off the bench to home off Rivera like last year.
Jason- I agree sometimes a guys gotta clutch up. Gardy out smarted himself by flip flopping Kubes and Cuddyer..
Though it’s rare, the Twins HAVE beat Rivera twice at the Dome.
It’s over, Yankees will just put Rivera in during the 8th if necessary. Window is already closed.
Twice huh? I find that impressive actually. Seems like that guy never misses on any
LOL Buscher.
It’s over, Yankees will just put Rivera in during the 8th if necessary. Window is already closed.
The vulture goes “caw caw”
LNP can not bat
D: Yep. Once it was a walkoff in early 2006. The second time was the Delmon Young 3-run homer. (Though they eventually lost that game)
This move by Girardi must confuse the heck out of Gardy…
“Really, you can do that?”
At least we’ll see Mauer in the 9th!
(Or maybe the 8th!!!)
time to take one back from the yanks
My only wish here would be that Tolbert was running for Buscher. Young could come in for Morales in the 9th (unless the idea is save Young for a PH in the 9th)
Just out of curiosity…what are Nathan’s stats in “1+” inning appearances vs. 1 inning saves?
So let me understand this, the Yanks are bringing in their best relief pitcher in the 8th inning with 2 outs, on the road, against a team they own, in a one run game in JULY to close it out and try to get the win?
Gardy? Does this make any sort of sense to you? Hello?
LOL the vultures just keep circling.
LOL the blog police just keep patroling.
“Just out of curiosity…what are Nathan’s stats in “1+” inning appearances vs. 1 inning saves?”
I think this would be tough to analyze since he simply does not have enough appearances in 1+ inning saves to effectively judge it. It’s one of those things you have to try a few times before you get a good read on it.
My point is Souhan wrote a column for today comparing Rivera and Nathan as closers. There is no comparison…Rivera has made a career out of picking up 1+ inning saves.
did one of the vultures just get a ticket for illegally commenting?
T- I like the idea of tolbert running.. I trust harris with the bat enough to let him bat in the 9th. I know it is a moot point now..but it seemed to be a good idea…buscher is not going to be out there in the 9th anyway
Yeah, I’m with Chief here, T.
Gardy has been thoroughly outmanaged by the Yanks, whether it be Torre or Girardi, throughout his tenure. This was a situation where you could easily point to a difference in managing philosophy in how you deal with your All Star closer.
LOL Chief just keeps ripping on T.
i hate the yankees. that counts for something right?
“Quick everybody…SWARM ON T. SWAAAAARM!”
D: If the options are only Tolbert or Harris vs. Rivera I’d go with Harris every time.
If I’m Brendan Harris I use every available second between innings to work on my bunting in the clubhouse hallway…if Span reaches base to lead of the ninth, Harris must be called upon to bunt.
If he isn’t (or he fails), then he must be removed from the 2-spot in the order, you would think.
LOL someone craves attention ignore the police troll
Alternatively, maybe Gardy pinch hits Tolbert for Harris and asks him to bunt if Span reaches…that might be smart.
Either way, gotta execute. Get on base, Denard!
NO DON’T STOP SWARMING I SMELL BLOOD!
Only when you deserve it, T.
The expiration date on that whole, tired vulture thing passed months ago.
It’s one thing to see it from the doc, he’s got nothing else.
You, on the other hand, are capable of so much more.
Alternatively, maybe Gardy pinch hits Tolbert for Harris and asks him to bunt
In that situation Tolbert would be a better option. Let’s hope Span can put us in that situation.
You, on the other hand, are capable of so much more.
I only put as much effort into comebacks these days as people put into their memes.
Jason who will bat for Harris? I dont see anyone on the bench being any different than Harris is. How quick is Buscher? He cant be as fast as tolbert? I know it didnt happen but if one is hit in the corner or the gap and you need that extra speed to get home would buscher beat tolbert to the plate?
Well crap. Let’s hope that Mauer can make that qualifying plate appearance more memorable than the last out.
Oh THAT was a Yankee Strike.
Joe is 3 for 5 off Rivera
Crap.
make that 3 for 6
Painful…all the HRs we’ve hit this year and we let a Piranha named Gardner beat us. Ouch.
What’s even more depressing is that the Twins have out-homered the Yankees in this series (and I think the season series)
Usually if you do that you beat them.
Joe is mlb leader at .388
T- that is actually impressive…the Yanks are supposed to be a high powered team
Sigh…why are the Twins always such nancys when it comes to playing the Spankees?
Well, at least that game gave us plenty to talk about. It exposes us in so many ways…believe it or not, Buschers pinch hit single notwithstanding, that game illustrates why we need a serious upgrade to our bench.
I hate to say it, but we needed Buscher to hit a dong there, not a single.
One of many issues this game brings to light, of course. I’ll be interested in hearing the takes…
Detroit is playing KC
Chicago is playing Cleveland
Twins are playing NY.
Is it me or did the Twins get the short end of that stick.
“Joe is mlb leader at .388″
Well it’s a good thing we were able to get the truly important stuff out of tonight’s game.
I think I prefer the 10-2 pounding.
Bret fricking Gardner. Just can’t let that happen.
Did Anthony LaPanta just really say Swarzak was very good in his return? He was watching the same game I was, wasn’t he?
He was ok, but not great.
Tough loss AGAIN
What’s new Twin got the short end of the stick last year as well with that darned coin flip.
You knew FSN would lead postgame with Mauer officially being batting leader.
Show some professionalism and breakdown the key turning points of a one-run game…is that too much to ask?
Gardner would be much worse (Punto) if he did not have the type of talent around him.
Is it me or did the Twins get the short end of that stick.
What’s new Twin got the short end of the stick last year as well with that darned coin flip.
Yeah.
Or, you know, the Twins could go out and get the players to actually play on that stage.
I hope Joe Mauer says “We lost, why are you asking about that?” if a reporter seeks comment regarding him now being the official batting leader…
Jason:
Downside is the bench. Morales and Young/Gomez are okay in my eyes. Redmond needs to be DL’d to make room for a pitcher.
If the Twins can swing a trade for a new starting 2B, that would put Punto back on the bench…which doesn’t make a stronger bench but would strengthen the lineup considerably.
As far as the bullpen goes, I think this homestand has shown that it’s stronger than we thought (yesterday not withstanding)
Duensing, Swarzak, and Keppel have performed well. Dickey is great when he’s on and horrid when he’s off.
“Or, you know, the Twins could go out and get the players to actually play on that stage.”
Great call again, Chief.
Although we do have 3 All Stars…just not 6 like the Yanks.
Or, you know, the Twins could go out and get the players to actually play on that stage.
The Twins had a HUGE stage last year when they swept the Sox in that last home series.
And as far as I’m concerned, neither offense stepped up in game 163. But both pitchers played like seasoned vets.
Right you are, T.
Bill Smith…how about some phone calls, please?
When Brett Gardner is very much outhitting Justin Morneau in this series, that can pretty much sum things up.
Keppel’s pitched, what, 9 scoreless so far? there’s a bright spot
Jason: As far as who to get at 2B. Aside from “anybody but Punto” who would the Twins be able to pry away with what they have available?
Roberts? Sanchez? Grudzy?
I’m serious…if Bill Smith wants to be viewed as a real GM, he will find an upgrade to either our infield or bench within 24 hours of this stinging loss. That’s what GMs do…when they see glaring weaknesses that aren’t going away, they use a painful loss as the trigger to make changes.
Let’s see it, Billy.
On the weird side, the Twins have given up zero homeruns to the Yankees thus far.
“Jason: As far as who to get at 2B. Aside from “anybody but Punto” who would the Twins be able to pry away with what they have available?”
Bill Smith is the GM, T. He’s paid to find answers to the very question you pose above, no matter how tough it is.
Sometimes, the GM considers all the options and says, ‘you know, I think our guys will come around and end up being better than what we could get right now’. I don’t think you can argue that’s the case with the Twins at 2B and bench right now.
This is classic…nevermind breaking down the key ABs in this game, I really want to know how Ron Coomer would play a ball off the right field wall…
I know I’m frustrated and bitter after this loss (I think most of us are), but my goodness…
Jason: You make it sound like it’s just “that” easy.
It’s especially disengenous to say “Fix it NAO or you suck!” because quite honestly the players that would ACTUALLY fix the problem can’t just be yanked away in 24 hours.
Because as cool as it would be to see Sanchez in the starting lineup Friday, it would also suck to see Span in a Pirate uniform.
Roberts:
Signed a 4-year extension in Feb. Would be nice, but I have a hard time believing the Orioles have a whole lot of interest in moving him.
Sanchez:
I think Pirates fans would burn down PNC Park and hunt down the Pirates’ front office staff for a good old fashioned stoning if they let one more solid ball player leave.
Grudzlinnfkosksdski
Don’t think KC is interested in sending someone to a division rival and vice versa.
My two cents anyway.
Now come on Jason…You know all you’ll hear from Bill Smith and Co. regarding any trades is something like….
“Well, we tried real hard to find the right match, but just couldn’t anything that made sense for our club.”
It happened last year when they desperately needed bullpen help, and brought in Eddie Guardado instead. And it will happen again this year. Meanwhile, the White Sox who are already playing good ball and realize the division is for the taking, have already made a move, and I guarantee have some other ideas in mind as we speak.
For the record McLouth signed an extension this offseason too…. he got moved early in the season, so Roberts moving wouldn’t be a stretch….
Denard Span for Freddy Sanchez? Don’t think so. The Pirates will take a couple decent minor league pitchers for that guy. That’s what they are after, restocking pitching depth after years of bad luck and poor management.
It happened last year when they desperately needed bullpen help, and brought in Eddie Guardado instead
Actually if I recall that discussion, I was considered the crazy one for thinking that Eddie was going to suck (And suck hard) in the Twins pen.
I remember it distinctly because it was like bizarro land. People were praising the move and I was sitting there thinking “Are you NUTS!?”
For the record McLouth signed an extension this offseason too…. he got moved early in the season, so Roberts moving wouldn’t be a stretch….
Baltimore isn’t Pittsburgh. I’m not saying it’s impossible…but I just don’t see it.
with that being said, it isn’t like you can just get a Staples red button and push it and bam there is a middle infielder for nothing given up. There is NO way that we could move players that are the most frustrating to us for a “quality” player although you know what, Sanchez is going to go through the same funk that Harris is in, and will strike out occasionally in a major situation like Cuddy did tonight…. that is just the game. Before you demand Smith to make some move that might not really be needed think about what it is going to cost and how much it is really going to improve the team…. I mean do you really want to see Swarzak and Span in the Pirate’s penstripes just to have Sanchez and Grabow (who is very hittable for the AL)
Pathetic loss tonight. Haven”t read earlier postings yet.
No clutch hitting. First pitch swinging. cuddyer just needs to not play a game. POOR strike out……
I still say if someone strike outs twice or more. they need to move.
yes, we do need a 2nd baseman.
Win Twins!
Baltimore is just like Pittsburgh, they are looking to the future, so if locking up a player to make him more desireable then they will and then trade him…. do we not remember all the Roberts to the Cubs rumors over the summer after the contract was finalized?
Pittsburgh will take Span, keep him for a year and then flip him for more. They have plenty of young pitchers they need more position players in the system
I know people have mixed feeling about this guy, but it won’t take much to get Felipe Lopez off the D-Backs.
I know he has had a power outage over the last few years, but the dude has hit around .300 all year, which in comparison to what the Twins have right now, is Jesus like.
The Pirates actually don’t have plenty of young pitchers in their system, at least quality ones as far as the new management is concerned.
They are looking for all out depth at all levels of their system and would really like to dump guys like Sanchez and Grabow, who do not fit into their new long-term plans, in order to get more pitching.
You can’t make a deal that plugs one hole but opens up another. What’s the point.
What plug is open by trading for a 2B??
And the fact that Span’s name is being posted right now is ridiculous. That guy is not going anywhere and for good reason.
If the Twins really want to make a move that they think will be an instant upgrade for the current club in a clearly winnable division, then I think they can do so but would have to give up minor league pitching which we all know they are reluctant to do.
“Before you demand Smith to make some move that might not really be needed”
Have we been watching the same team, Little Miss? You honestly would make the argument that Punto, Tolbert, and Buscher (not to mention Redmond) are eventually all going to turn into serviceable options for a playoff team?
I’m not talking about dismantling what we have…I’m talking about one move as a sign of good faith to your fan base that you will not tolerate looking overmatched against the best teams in baseball while you continue to carry players with Mendoza-like batting averages and no power.
When your best pitcher would be a #4 at best for the Yankees it pretty much sums up the futility the Twins face when going against New York. Also note: to many sure outs. Punto, Gomez and lately Harris.
“What plug is open by trading for a 2B??”
Exactly.
What plug is open by trading for a 2B??
My remark was directed to the mention of deals containing Span.
Watching Cuddy flail at bad pitches, Crede hitting “Dave Kingmanlike” pop-ups, and DY riding the bench– this team still needs a mlb caliber right-handed bat to protect the M&M boys like they have for the last 3 years.
How nice would Tori look in the lineup this year??? God I miss spiderman…
my point being is that you are going to give up someone important for someone like Freddy Sanchez…. and what are you going to do with Punto, slide him to SS, while Harris waits for another shot? Pittsburgh does their yearly firesale but they aren’t stupid they are good scouts so is really worth 2-3 prospects who might be the next Santana or Hunter for a guy who has made it VERY well known that he does not want to play anywhere but Pittsburgh to take Harris out of the lineup and send Tolbert back to the minors? we are still going to have that hole that Jason is so concerned with he will just be at SS.
How’s about this for now: In the absence of Bill Smith getting some better players–which is the real answer, but I think we all know in our heart the Twins won’t do that–the manager admits that Mauer batting second, and Morneau third, is a better idea than trying to shoehorn another hitter into the lineup in the 2 hole?
Yes, it means the lineup is ’shortened’ instead of ‘lengthened.’ But it’s still the same nine hitters, and at least Mauer and Morneau are coming up to hit once more every nine games or so, rather than Harris getting those extra ABs.
And I might be ‘misremembering,’ but wasn’t the lineup doing ok with that arrangement?
And I might be ‘misremembering,’ but wasn’t the lineup doing ok with that arrangement?
I agree and I think Harris would benefit from moving down the order.
We’re about to go 0-7 on the year against a team even the Natinals beat twice at Yankee Stadium.
I give “This Mean” Swarzak a bit of credit for at least pitching somewhat professionally tonight, as opposed to cry-Baker, but the putrid at bats with risp(esp. the grotesque Cuddy display) doomed them to another loss to a team that has almost no hitters in their prime. oh, and so much for beating the Tigers 2 of 3. We’ve already fallen further back that we had been prior to that series.
I look forward to listening to the day games when at work, but I think I’ll be skippin it tomorrow. We all know how it’ll go.
my point being is that you are going to give up someone important for someone like Freddy Sanchez…. and what are you going to do with Punto, slide him to SS, while Harris waits for another shot? Pittsburgh does their yearly firesale but they aren’t stupid they are good scouts so is really worth 2-3 prospects who might be the next Santana or Hunter for a guy who has made it VERY well known that he does not want to play anywhere but Pittsburgh to take Harris out of the lineup and send Tolbert back to the minors? we are still going to have that hole that Jason is so concerned with he will just be at SS.
It would very likely NOT take anyone important to this year’s team, or next year’s team, to get Freddie Sanchez. Certainly not something like Span, and if it took something like Humber and one of the Twins minor league oufielders not named Hicks, so what? That’s somehow going to cripple the organization?
We’re talking about a second baseman, so ‘what do you do with Punto’ is, hopefully, a moot point. Certainly the manager is smart enough to remove Punto from the lineup, not Harris, at least to begin with. If he’s not smart enough to do that, then the team has bigger issues, right? If that alignment proves unworkable defensively, then Punto goes to short, and you end up with a Punto/Sanchez middle infield, which is still better than a Harris/Punto infield, since Punto’s probably a better defensive shortstop than Harris and Sanchez a better hitter than Harris.
And I’m not even going to discuss the terrible calamity that would be Tolbert going back to Rochester. I mean seriously…that would somehow HURT the Twins?
Teams make in-season trades to help themselves all the time. It’s not like it’s some radical idea that can’t possibly happen for the local nine.
…doomed them to another loss to a team that has almost no hitters in their prime
Uh, that primeless hitting corp is leading ALL of major league baseball in runs.
Holy cow…I mention Span in passing and suddenly everybody’s acting like that’s the rumor?
The only reason I used Sanchez and Span is because one is a player people feel will help and Span is a player people don’t want to lose.
As an example of how it would be COOL to get help IMMEDIATELY following today’s game but also how much it would suck if doing so meant not spending any time negotating and just handshaking on the first set of names that came up.
And yes: a player SHOULD be available for such and such. But as we’ve seen in the past teams don’t always make reasonable demands.
As far as Punto going to short if Sanchez comes…wouldn’t that pretty much be trading your left leg for a replacement right leg?
