Casilla is up. Tolbert goes down
Posted on July 12th, 2009 – 4:58 PMBy La Velle
The Twins have recalled infielder Alexi Cassilla from Class AAA Rochester and have optioned infielder Matt Tolbert to Rochester.
Casilla homered in his first at-bat on Sunday before being pulled from Rochester’s game against Lehigh Valley. He was batting .340 in 40 games before the call up.
This will be Casilla’s third stint with the Twins, who could use his bat and not the mental laspes that led to him being demoted twice this year.
“He’s a heck of a talent and a big part of our success last year,” Twins catcher Joe Mauer said. “Hopefully, he can help us out.”
While Casilla is expected to return to second base, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that he will find time for both Nick Punto and Brendan Harris at shortstop.
Casilla also is expected to return to the No. 2 hole in the batting order. Twins hitters are batting .191 in that spot - when they don’t wear No. 7 on their jersey.
The Twins are expected to add a 12th pitcher in time for Friday’s series opener in Texas.
Class AA New Britain closer Anthony Slama has been named the Twins minor league player of the week after going three-for-three in save opportunities.
Jim Thome’s homer in the sixth was the 555th of his career.
Mike Redmond broke a 0-for-16 skid with a single in the second.
Carlos Gomez had a career high five RBI
Joe Mauer had a career high four strikeouts.
189 Responses to "Casilla is up. Tolbert goes down"
Lavelle… is it more likely now that Buscher or Morales goes down? Morales seems pretty important
10: Over/under on number of times we read or hear ‘it’s just like making a trade.’
I’ll take the over.
Sigh. If by time for both Harris and Punto at short means anything less than Harris starting 4 out of 5 games, my blood will boil.
LaVelle I think you may have stumbled on to something.
Is there a rule in MLB that would preclude a team from having more than one guy wear the same number?
Let’s issue Casilla a #7 jersey and see how he hits in that 2-spot!
Chief, if Casilla hits .320 and plays above-average defense, that’s exactly what it will be “just like”.
On the other hand, if not …
What about a multiple of 7? 14/21/28…all very fashionable.
10: Over/under on number of times we read or hear ‘it’s just like making a trade.’
Those taking the over aren’t allowed to pad the count by saying it themselves.
so unless 14 is retired…. I think the only multiple of 7 that has a shot of batting anything like #7 is Delmon and that is with a lot of discipline….. and 28 (Crain), and 35 (Gardenhire) don’t bat, although on some days I would rather give Crain a bat than some of the guys we have on the bench, we might have a better shot.
We’ve got all the multiples of 7 except 7×0. Does anybody where #0 anymore?
TC Bear maybe?
My hopeful thinking is that the Twins are calling Casilla up so the Pirates can get a look at him for a few games in the bigs.
Then, a trade for Sanchez involving Casilla and others can happen.
Ahhh, who am I kidding.
Please let Punto be the one who sits…
Please.
This will sorta be the acid test for Gardenhire, IMO.
I’ve always defended him on the Punto thing, believing that Punto has usually represented the best option on the roster when he’s played full time.
Now, though, there’s a reasonable option.
And we’ve got the propaganda coming out in Sid’s column today…
Coincidence?
It’ll be interesting, and I’ll be in Texas for all three games next weekend to see firsthand how the first series out of the break goes.
TC Bear maybe?
Ah yeah. TC is #00. Do you think he could be convinced to give it up? …Though that may explain his performance in the Home Run Contest each weekend.
And we’ve got the propaganda coming out in Sid’s column today…
Don’t pay much attention to Hartman. He never says anything that could get him in troubl with his “close personal friends”. Why do you think he has them to begin with?
Don’t pay much attention to Hartman.
I don’t.
The quotes in Sid’s column aren’t from Sid. They’re from Gardenhire.
I doubt Sid even knows who Nick Punto is.
Gardy loves Morales; Brendan can also play third, as can Nick in a pinch. Buscher will be designated for assignment.
Harris’s performance todsy earned him a start first game after the break at least maybe more. Also I know it was AJ running but Harris or probably even Casilla does’nt make that play. If we were’nt up 6 runs we’re talking about that being a game saving play.
Harris, not Punto, batter be the everyday SS.
So Gardy is going to have the Punto Pet and Brendan Harris share time at short stop!Gardy might want to review his own quotes about how Nicky can play anywhere…he’s good everywhere you put him..he’s great at third base, he plays great at short and he plays great at second. He can flat out pick it. So why not have him play the utility spot and share ALL of these positions? Brendan Harris has more than proven himself and deserves to be the starting short stop. Wake up Gardy..this is not The Little League!!!
if punto starts at ss on friday and harris sits, i will call for gardy to be fired.
If Alexi can come back and do what he did last year in the 2 hole and at 2nd base, the starting SS is a moot point, because it will be the #9 hitter. I do like Harris bat in there though, but, really, were talking about the 9 spot.
If this is the case, Harris better get the call at 3B everytime Crede can’t go. No more Buscher at 3B is a good thing.
Now, the last move to be made is to send out Buscher and add the 12th pitcher. I’d still prefer they stayed at 11 pitchers, as whom ever they add as the 12th isn’t going to be a reliable option anyways.
is it just me…..or does alexi rameirez for the white soxs look like alien on crack?
this has been bugging me for a year!
I wish him well…..but man he freaks me out whenever I see him……
Jason, I am sure Gardy really worries about what you think.
Gardy loves Morales? Not enough to bump the offensive and defensive liability, Mike Redmond, off the roster!
What this team needs less of is “Clubhouse Guys” and more of talent guys.
Punto should be no more than a once a week spot starter and late inning pinch runner. Possibly defensive replacement for Casilla in the 9th.. No more……Otherwise Gardy should be fired.
I have watched Casilla and Tolleson play sided by side for a month now. Here is how they Grade out.
Speed Adv Casilla but Tolleson is has stolen just as many bases
Power Adv Tolleson
D-Fence Adv Tolleson Solid at 3 positions 2b,ss,of
Tolleson doesn’t give away as many abs. I believe he is a smarter player.
Casilla is much more Flash! Maybe that is what the Twins like.
Final Report
Tolleson is well rounded and solid in most aspects of the Game
Casilla is a exciting player with lots of Flash
If it were my team I am taking Tolleson
I guess they are going with the “play Casilla, Gomez” strategy to see what they have, rather than the “let’s make a trade” strategy.
I am shocked.
WingsFan…Now that is a good report, thank you for some input on what you have seen, not just blind opinions.
dr do really think my opinion is blind? I’ve watched 95 percent of Twins games since the 1980s…
Gardy already was exposed as having made a mistake by playing Punto over Harris for the first two months of the season. To his credit, he corrected the mistake by making Harris the shortstop in early June. If he pulls a stunt like benching Harris on Friday (the season’s 2nd “Opening Night”) and playing Punto at SS with his .201 average, zero power ability, and knack for getting picked off of first, then that in my opinion will be a disasterous mistake.
No, we’re not just talking about the No. 9 hitter. We’re talking about organizational philosphy from the top man here (gardy has more pull than Bill Smith, it seems obvious). I’ve been saying all season we should hold off on judgment about Gardy until 2010 if things don’t work out this year, but I seriously would rethink that if he was stubborn enough to make that move.
if punto starts at ss on friday and harris sits, i will call for gardy to be fired.
Which is different from what you were doing before how?
Let’s see, Bill Smith is hoping that Casilla will bat .300 & play well at 2nd. If we trade for Sanchez & he also bats .300…. he could bat 2nd & play 2B. & Casilla could bat 9th & play SS! Casilla, Span, Sanchez, Mauer, Morneau & Kubel….. 6 successive “.300 hitters”. Now there is some depth to a lineup! Casilla would be a .300 hitter from the point of his recall, Span is a “near”.300 hitter at the moment.
and knack for getting picked off of first
And that darn Morneau and his knack for killing rallies by trying to take extra bases. Like today when he hit that “double” or the other day (was it the Tigers?) where he killed a rally by making an out at first.
Coco: I would imagine if Sanchez was aquried it would mean Casilla would go to the bench in favor of Harris XBH potential at SS.
Don’t get me wrong, if Casilla can get back to his 2007 form in this stay with the Twins he’ll cement himself back in the everyday lineup.
But there’s also a chance that Casilla would be PART of a Sanchez deal (Since he’d likely be a Twin for 2 years and the Pirates would need a new starting 2B)
Sanchez would be worthwhile to add if for no other reason than adding a quality bat/depth to bench.
T: Hughes or Tolleson could also be part of package to land Sanchez IMO.
We need a Shannon Stewart type trade/shakeup to juice up the team.
Tosoni just got the go ahead RBI double for world futures team…
Why the hurry in rushing him up here? The Twins don’t play until next Friday and Casilla could get extra AB’s. Pulling him out of a game is ridiculous to come here and sit for 5 days.
he could also get hurt in one of those meaningless minor league games.
Casilla is worth a shot. This team is a .500 ballclub, and we need to plan for 2010 and Target Field. If we can get out of the gate after the All Star game, then maybe I’ll feel different but right now a duck is a duck and planning for the future seems appropriate.
fargo, read LEN’s 10:14 blog for this: “”"”"The Triple-A break coincides with MLB’s All-Star break.”"”"”
this is what I mean about some of the comments that the commentors know nothing about.
You know, I said this the other day: If the Twins do something about second base, Gardy will just end up playing Nick Punto at SS. And, there’s no comparison right now about who brings more to the Twins, Harris or Punto.
Billy needs to step up soon and demand that Punto gets nothing more than a start or two per week. This is sad; it’s sick. There’s something strange going on between Punto and Gardy. It’s either some father-son favoritism, like in Little League, or it’s some type of clandestine man-love.
So, we have Harris, who has less errors than Punto, hitting .275 with extra-base power. Or, we have Nick Punto hitting .201 with no power at all.
Forget the defensive mantra. Punto is good, sure. But he’s not great. In fact, if Alexi keeps his head in the game, Casilla himself is a better fielder than Punto. It’s just that Punto is a drama queen, flopping around out there more than Peter Forsberg. Half the crap he makes look difficult is routine stuff for most guys.
Something needs to be done about this. Nick Punto simply doesn’t deserve to split time with Harris, yet, you know he’s going to be in there four days a week, and we’re still going to have all sorts of difficulty at the bottom of the order.
Does this team REALLY care about winning? I mean, does Gardy? Does this staff? Or, has this just turned into a fraternity party over the last few years?
I agree with wingzfan, I have seen Tolleson play 8 or so times in AA, he’s a player, I’d bring him up over Casilla, but Casilla is better than Tolbert
And that darn Morneau and his knack for killing rallies by trying to take extra bases. Like today when he hit that “double” or the other day (was it the Tigers?) where he killed a rally by making an out at first.
T, your comparing the offensive contributions of Morneau and Punto???
That’s cute. You just keep trying to be the baseball Einstein. Just keep out-thinking yourself there, butch.
Tosoni won the MVP…
Hehe
Lala72, you do truly add a lot of good comments to the board, but in all honesty, some of your dissertations are becoming repetetive and monotonous. Oh, did I say repetetive and monotonous? I digress.
AAA goes on their All Star break this week, as well. No games to be played by Sexy Lexi.
Dr and I love ya, but what insight do
you add ?
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facepalm
None, but I don’t claim to have any answers, Shawn, I just try have fun. In fact, I know nothing!!!!! 
Cool, I’m in that boat too
That was neat, gatty.
Lots of optimism with this news. I’ll add some insight. I just think we’re getting Casilla instead of Sanchez. And if Harris makes one error or has one oh-for, he sits and Nick starts. It’s gonna be the S-O-S.
Shawn, I liked Wingsfan’s comment, and your based on observation of up and comers, and I commented on those in a positive manner of good reports based on visible experience. Thanks again, Wingsfan and Shawn for sharing your observations.
Boooooo. Boooooo. Booooo.
Yeah, ascii art is pretty cool
These blogs tend to eat their young, opinion one has is wrong based on this that and the other. I know I’d rather be ripped for my opinion than ripped for having one. No matter howcommon or unique an opinion is.
T, your comparing the offensive contributions of Morneau and Punto???
Of course not. I’m simply comparring the base running screwups that both players make…but only one player gets consistently ripped on even weeks after a single mistake…even in a winning effort.
Even when the other player’s screw up occured in a losing effort.
Billy needs to step up soon and demand that Punto gets nothing more than a start or two per week.
Billy had a chance to step up before the season ended by not resigning Punto.
Who’s worse…the addict or the enabler?
considering gomez day, i wonder when he heard his buddy casilla was coming back…lets hope that lites a fire under the two of them again and hope they both get hot…it was fun to watch last year when they were both doing very well….what a boost to this lineup it would be….if casilla can find it, we dont need sanchez and all the twins need to worry about is finding some solid starting pitching and moving a starter or two to the bullpen….theres still a little time left to tweak this team into a winner but it needs to be done very, very soon…..
Twins fans should know that there will be lots of talk but GM does nothing and Twins compete but fall short! Same old same old.
With Casilla coming up this may be the end of trying to obtain Sanchez. On the other hand we may be showcasing Casilla to be the headliner of the deal. In either case I hope he has learned and can provide the spark that we desperately need in the two hole..
I’m simply comparring the base running screwups that both players make
Do you truly not understand the difference between trying to stretch a single into a double, on a ball off the baggy…and getting picked off first to snuff a rally?
If Nicky ever hit a ball off the baggy, I’d give him some slack if a perfect throw got him at second. But I likely won’t have to, since the baggy is about 40 ft past the range of Nick’s power stroke.
youve got to be kidding me!? what has punto done to justify splitting time with harris at shortstop? theres no comparison in terms of hitting, and puntos so called defensive abilities are so overrated its unbelievable. gardenhire is just in a cya mode, afterall, it was he who pushed smith into spending over 8 million to sign punto. what a waste of money.
Why is everyone so negative about Nick Punto? I don’t get it??? He has so much heart, saves so many runs on D and he understands his role to get on base any way he can. He is the #9 hitter for God’s sake! Plus he has shown in 2006 and 2008 that he can hit in the 280 to 290 range. If you want to jump on somebody, go after our hitting coach who can’t get him to stop hitting fly balls, can’t get a natural like Gomez to use the whole field, can’t get Young to hit with power, can’t get Cuddy to hit a curveball off the plate or to just let it go and has really not done anything to improve the team’s overall hitting. Compare him to Anderson on the pitching coach side and it is like night and day. You always see Anderson talking to the young pitchers.
Chief beat me to the punch again…
T, you can take issue with we as commenters, if you don’t like us or whatever, but for the sake of your own credibility, you may want to refrain from further Punto / Morneau comparisons in any fashion.
I think after reading that the Pirates want Jonathan Sanchez plus a good prospect in trade for Sanchez the Twins are out of it.. That seems like a steep price to pay especially if the team getting him pays his salary. I gotta believe that the Twins are truly hoping that Casilla is the guy at second base! Now they have to go out and get some pitching help and I believe now that is where they are looking.
Harris is hitting exactly .200 in July. He’s earned a rest. I like the idea of bringing up Tolleson and trying Casilla at SS.
1 Span lf/cf
2 Mauer c/dh
3 Morneau 1b
4 Cuddyer rf
5 Crede 3b
6 Kubel dh/lf
7 Gomez/Young/Morales cf/lf/c
8 Casilla 2b
9 Punto ss
bill smith, if you are alive and well, will you please step forward and get something done for this ballclub…the fans and even more the players, deserve move from you than you are giving…get off your ass and make some moves to bring this club to better heights than .500 ..a division crown is out there for the taking and the most agressive bunch is going to grab the crown and enjoy post season play….is that going to be us bill or are you gonna let it slip away to the lovable chisox or the other lovlies the tigers….its up to you bill so dont let your players down…and us too
Casilla is the man at 2nd base. Punto and Harris will split time at SS. How hard is that to understand. Morales back to AAA to bring up 12 pitchers.
Ditto.
“Harris is hitting exactly .200 in July.”
punto is hitting .200 period. when does his rest come? harris is getting four days of rest.
“Punto and Harris will split time at SS. How hard is that to understand.”
thats very hard to understand when one guy hits ,200 with no power.
Usually when owners give an endorsement of a coach, he usually ends up being fired shortly after.
Let’s only hope that it’s the same for players too.
Are you possibly hinting that Slama might skip AAA?
Okay LaVelle just said that the Twins are out of it for Sanchez. That is kind of what I thought when they made the move for Casilla to come up. Now I wonder who will go down and it is probably between Buscher and Morales..
Well, Tolbert is back where he belongs. That’s a good thing, right?
If Tolleson is better than Casilla in the minors and Casilla is batting .340 in the minors then absolutely, bring them both up.
The Twins were never going to get Sanchez. We’re handcuffed to Punto whether we like it or not.
It was kind of nice to see the ERA’s of the 3 relievers today and none of them were named Nathan.
Okay LaVelle just said that the Twins are out of it for Sanchez.
That was about a 99% certainty with today’s Casilla announcement, IMO.
Benny W
Not for Tolbert.. Now where is he going to play at Rochester with Tolleson there?? If he becomes a utility player at Rochester that may be the last anyone ever sees of Tolbert in a Major League uniform. I feel for that kid as I am sure he had a dream since he was a very young boy.. Good luck to you Matt Tolbert!!
It will be interesting to see what the Pirates do eventually get for Sanchez. We can kind of compare it to the trade a couple of years ago when we sent Castillo to the Mets for two going nowhere minor leaguers.. That has not been a good trade for the Twins either as both of those guys have little chance to be in the Majors..
i just wonder if gomez has turned the corner or not–what a great day he had-we could obviously use more of those..let hope with his buddy casilla coming back that this was a coming out party for him….we will know more next friday-sun
This goes back to Tom Kelly, too. If our managers would learn how to handle these ballplayers we would still have people like Bartlett and Garza. We need to use our heads, too, in this game. Lot’s of talk about trades. They rarely work out to our advantage. It should be exciting to see Gomez and Casilla in the same lineup again. Our team is still young and learning. Patience is needed and they will be fine.
I don’t think we’re out of the Sanchez sweepstakes. Actually we’re giving Casilla a two week audition to play like he’s capable of prior to the trading deadline.
If he plays well, maybe we don’t make a move at 2B, but if he stinks again then there’s our motivation to make a move.
One more comment. Not too many seem to want to see Punto in the lineup. Remember, he gets to balls that others, i.e., Harris, doesn’t. Same for Gomez. A good play may be like getting one or two hits. Hits are important but they need to be when we need them.
“I feel for that kid as I am sure he had a dream since he was a very young boy.”
but, on the happy side, he fulfilled that dream for a significant part of two seasons.
Wow…confusing set of changes over in Chicago.
Pinella brings in a relief pitcher who gave up a hit and a walk.
Pinella then puts the reliever in LF and brings in a new pitcher who strikes out the next batter.
Pinella then brings in a new LF, and the P that was moved out there takes the mound again.
So the pitcher relieved the guy who originally relieved him.
Could that be a first?
Phantom
The Pirates are asking the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez who has loads of potential and just threw a no hitter plus a good prospect.. The Twins are no way going to give up that much for Sanchez so in my opinion they are definitely out of it and that is why Casilla is back up.. If Casilla plays well for the next two weeks that will give the Twins more incentive to KEEP him rather then trade him..
The Twins were never going to get Sanchez. We’re handcuffed to Punto whether we like it or not.
How are they hand cuffed to Punto? They cut Lamb half a year into his 2 year contract…
The Pirates are asking the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez who has loads of potential and just threw a no hitter plus a good prospect.
Suddenly it makes sense. The Pirates are even cheaper than the Twins, and want to dump Sanchez’s contract without having to buy all new uniforms. 
Wow is this team in the TWILIGHT ZONE (Casilla is NOT the answer and time is fast running out) - Thanks Billy “Run Me Out of Town Now” Smith!
Could that be a first?
No.
Cubs just got a huge break. LF trapped the ball which was ruled a catch. Saved a bases loaded situation with 2 out already.
No.
It will be interesting to read when the last time that happened was. Considering how confused Miller and Morgan were (well, moreso than usual) it couldn’t be too common.
I think the Twins did that a few years ago with Rick Aguilera and put him in left field and brought him back in to pitch. Good one T on the thriftful ways of the Pirates to save on uniform costs!!
Final standings for the AL pennant/post season and eventual winner:
BoSox
Yankees
Tigers
Angels
++++++
Angels
BoSox
++++++
Angels win AL!
T-
That is not a first. Happens from time to time in the NL with managers trying to get the matchups they want.
T, we’re handcuffed to Punto because he’s Gardy’s boy. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if they signed him again when his contract runs out.
I may be an idiot, but I don’t see how Punto (.203), Casilla (.180), and Crede (.231) can be regular starters if Brendan Harris (.269) is not in the line-up. Do the math, Gardy.
Better watch out what you wish for. Maybe Punto gets traded somewhere else and bats .230 and then you will all be sorry.
Who is Tolleson? I assume you are talking about Tolbert who is a waste of space but not as much as Buscher. Twins should look at Baltimore to see if they have any interest in moving Roberts.
So no one responded to the 5:53 post from Litte Miss Sarcasam about #14 being retired…does Hrbek ring a bell???
Punto was good. This year, his bat is mostly gone. His speed is declining. Now he got picked off first. Nick is a lovable baseball player. He’s just getting old.
Casilla oh boy a career 248 hitter no power , lots of strikeouts , bone head fielding plays/. Typical Twins, cheap. If you think the twins will pay Sanchez get real.
The Red Sox did that earlier in the season before they designated Javier Lopez they sent him to the outfield and brought in I *think* it was Van Every (who was also designated recently) to pitch to a batter and then brought Javy back in for the next batter. And Bobby Cox does it ALOT in Atl…. bringing in the lefty, sending him out to LF, bring in a righty, then bringing back the LF and if needed he would bring in Diaz or another pitcher to go to the outfield… LaRussa does that too…. hum, all those managers have lots of wins, maybe they are on to something
Twins hightlights on ESPN. Rather, Jermaine Dye highlights. During the pre-game mascot game he threw one to a Pizza as a cutoff who relayed to a strawberry to nail TC at the plate.
I may not have the friuts and vegetables correct, but it must have helped. He nailed Morny at second later.
I gotta believe the Twins have set there sights on pitching help after giving up on Sanchez. It is interesting that Washburn would not give Seattle any compensation as he is not even considered a class B free agent. If he chooses free agency they get nothing. If they start slipping in the standings I am sure he will be shipped somewhere and he definitely wants to play for the Twins and the Twins have always wanted him too..
I think we ought to go get Milton Bradley to play right field.
DrDon
Yes but we would have to continually take him out of the game when there was one out recorded…
Silly, naive me, I always believed sports were a competitive endeavor. It is now clear that the Twins, under Gardenhire’s rule, is a family, where every elephant in the room is igonored in the name of cohesiveness at the expense of fielding the best team possible. So, I am resigned to the fact that Gardy’s ‘Nicky’ will keep a hallowed spot in the lineup, .200 BA notwithstanding. Sorry boys, you can argue all you want about his benefits to the team, but he is a .200 hitter, with no power or clutch hitting or any other redeeming offensive capabilities. If you wish to argue that, defensively, he is the 2nd coming of, oh let’s say Ozzie Smith, I will gladly grant you that, but overall that still places him in the lowest 25% of everyday infielders when his offensive output is added to the equation. By accepting a .200 hitter as an everyday player, you are quite simply accepting sub-mediocrity, and destroying your own credibility as a result. These are simple and irrefutable facts.
Don: I think Bradley’s already done enough to help the Twins this season.
LaRussa does that too…. hum, all those managers have lots of wins, maybe they are on to something
I’m pretty sure if the P goes to LF (or the LF comes in to P) an AL team would then forfeit the DH.
where every elephant in the room is igonored in the name of cohesiveness at the expense of fielding the best team possible.
Do you mean such elephants as Mike Lamb (released a year and a half early), Jesse Crain (sent to minors), Juan Rincon (cut), Kyle Lohse (dealt), JC Romero (dealt)…etc
Just don’t get it do you? None of them were Gardy’s Bobo’s.
No use trying to explain to the ignorant.
I personally have no interest in Freddy Sanchez or second base help. As much as we all like to hate on Punto, he doesn’t make Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano mediocre pitchers.
The team needs a starting pitcher who can match up against the likes of CC, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and AJ Burnett. A pitcher who can eat innings to save the bullpen. There is such a pitcher available - ROY HALLADAY. The Twins should throw just about everything they have at the Jays for him (except for Mauer and Morneau), and they’d become a legitimate World Series contender.
Yes, moving a pitcher to the outfield would remove the DH in the AL.
Rule 6.10
Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game.
When will someone please recognize all the help Morneau gives LNP during those acrobatic plays.
If you didn’t have a gold glover at first, LNP would have twice the errors.
I really feel sorry for those who attended todays game and had to see LNP dive into first on a FOUL BALL. That is hilarious.
Wouldn’t a good manager show up his player and rip the bat out of his hand immediately and bench him right there and now! No more sliding into first.
Embarrass the guy like he embarrases us as fans for his antics.
I think that may go a long way.
By the way, did Bert mention anything today about himself pitching in the Major leagues? In each inning?
love the grit
What a buncha bs..I’ve got better things to do the 2nd half of the summer..
Funny, I didn’t feel embarrased when Nick dove into 1st. And if you look at the Gold glove fielders….Most of them are bailed out by the 1st baseman on throws throughout the season. (I’m not saying Nick is a gold glover, I’m just saying)
Hey, I’ve been working in the London office since Wednesday of last week. Good thing they have crickett; it took my mind off of the Yanks sweep and away from the friends in NYC, although most of them were kind enough to send to me emails on the games.
MSNBC sports just reviewed the first half of the season and stil picks the Twins to win the Central.
As for Howard’s column, what of Funderbunk?
Punto’s glove maybe valuable, but Harris’ bat and solid defensive play is just as important.
Sure Harris is hitting just over .200 in July, but he just had a monster day yesterday with two doubles and a two-run bomb. How often can Punto belt out extra base hits like him? Not nearly as much.
Tinker,
We were at the game yesterday and laughed our butts off when LNP dove into first and the ball ended up being foul! Hilarious stuff - the guys behind us were yelling and screaming at him to stop doing that but not to worry because he hit a little pop up on his second chance. When he drew a walk a bit later in the game and then got picked off first those guys behind us were really giving it to him. I saw him go into our dugout and get some gatorade but if I were running that team I would have kicked his butt all the way up the clubhouse steps - he is not a starter and with Casilla up now I’m just afraid that Harris will get the short end of the deal again.
Jason says:
July 12th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
if punto starts at ss on friday and harris sits, i will call for gardy to be fired.
Who Cares!
Punto better not get no more PAs than Red. He can draw a BB, but that is the sum total of his worth at the plate. Gardy’s infatuation with archaic tactics is inexcusable.
The keys to the 2nd half of this season are Casilla and Crain. I’ve been tooting the “improvements from within” horn for a month, and its up to these two guys to be more than just a shadow of thier former selves. If these two step up, everything falls into place quite nicely. If they fail, this team will probably end up with a winning record, but no post season appearance.
Twins 5th in AL attendance, not able to get Sanchez, 20 mill in extra revenue sharing money mainly from the Yankees. What we have is a cheap organzation making lots of money and having a stadium built for them and in turn won’t spend money on true talent. Wouldn’t you have thought with the Santana trade we would have some better minor league talent ready to fill the bullpen spots that we have no one for? Whatever happened to the Twins having the best minor league system? I sure hope we have allot of guys willing to bust their tails off and are scrappers….I also hope Casilla was taught the word sacrifice bunt in the minors because no one on this team now seems to know that one.
Casilla had a couple good months and promptly reverted to form. I have hope, but little faith. He is who we thought he is (in 2007, after the Castillo trade). The Twins are too close to being dominant to not make a push this year. I won’t give up hope until the trade deadline passes but my confidence wanes.
I don’t like to complain about the twins, especially management, cuz god knows how difficult it would be in the bigs, but for those who watched yesterdays game, you saw punto botch a sacrifice bunt with gomez on 2nd,(granted he moved him over with a grounder to 2b, but still)then later saw him get picked off 1st. if this was anyone other than punto, they would be benched for the next game no doubt, possibly replaced during the game. but not punto..gardy really has a blindfold on when it comes to this guy
Too Nice,
If you don’t like someone’s opinion, ignore it! Don’t get sucked into this blog policing where you feel compelled to quote other people then rip on them.
I actually would want Gardy taken for a MRI scan of his brain if Punto starts on Friday instead of Harris.
Too Nice,
It’s also important to make sure you don’t get sucked into this whole thing where you feel compelled to take potshots at other users just becaues they don’t agree with you.
Well, Gardys quote is to find a balance between Punto’s glove and Harris bat. I’m hoping that means studying our pitching staff, and the opposing teams line up, for ground ball and fly ball %, ect, and actually making the appropriate line up choices from there.
Thats the one hang up I have with Gardy: trying too hard to stick to old baseball axioms. Like the back up catcher has to play the day game after a night game. The #2 spot needs somebody who can bunt, ect.
Perhaps a counselor is in order. Gardy clearly is playing the role of enabler in this sordid state of middle infield affairs.
While I do realize my opinion on Gardy is meaningless in the grand scheme…I think all of our opinions are valuable in this forum.
I don’t want Gardy to be fired. I like him as a manager very much. But this Punto thing is an absolute head scratcher. I don’t get it.
I can live with the fact that Redmond plays over Morales because Red does still get the job done. You can’t say the same for Punto. This has been a continuous issue with this organization, culminating in inking him to a two-year, $8.5 million deal. It’s clear that Gardy is at the center of this issue.
If Casilla starts at second and Harris starts at short and Punto is moved to a utility role, I would actually be very excited about the move. Not as excited as I would be if we traded for Freddy Sanchez, obviously, but it would at the very least make sense to me.
On the other hand, forcing Casilla-Punto-Harris into an ackward platoon situation (like we already have with our outfield) would be a disaster and an injustice. It all starts Friday–the season’s 2nd “Opening Night”. If Punto starts on Friday and Harris is benched, well, I think Gardy’s job becomes a topic of discussion.
Remember, we’re 4 games out of first here. We’re within reach but the margin is significant. I think it’s managerial malpractice to start the second half of the year with our infield the same way we did the first half, based on what we’ve seen.
One more thought…
Another part of this that bothers me a little bit is the fact that other than Mr. Sinker, no one in the local media appears to question how the Twins have dealt with Nick Punto. It’s almost as though there’s been an organizational-wide “don’t go there” put out on this topic and the writers risk losing their credentials if the subject is brought up.
La Valle broke the news of Casilla’s call-up and his understanding that Punto will return to short almost as a passing note–like there should be no sense of surprise or reaction from the fans. It’s clear if you read the posts on this thread that the fans are not taking this news with a shoulder shrug and a grain of salt. I don’t think it’s too much to ask if the manager were questioned somewhat vigorously on what this all means.
Red can’t hit, and can no longer throw. Even certain bloggers that are Twins fans have started to call for him to be off the roster. There is no excuse for Red to be playing right now. There just isn’t. I’m sorry, but at some point, an athlete just isn’t that good anymore. Most managers/coaches/teammates have a super hard time realizing/admitting that. It’s one of many reasons why I take players’ comments about other players with a grain of salt.
But, that’s off topic. It’s all on Gardy in terms of Punto now. Smith has given him an alternative*, and we’ll see what he does.
*of course, that alternative has looked a lot like a AAAA player so far, but it is an alternative nonetheless
“Casilla homered in his first at-bat on Sunday before being pulled from Rochester’s game against Lehigh Valley.”
Was there a big hurry to get him 4 days off?
Jason, I’m not sure where La Velle got the idea that Punto would automatically be starting at shortstop. Gardy wanted Punto starting at shortstop even before he was signed in the offseason, but to his credit he bumped Punto for Harris when it was clear Harris was the better option offensively.
If Harris and Casilla both outplay Punto, it’ll be Punto on the bench.
In peeking at Casilla’s Rochester stats, clearly Alexi is doing a lot better than he was earlier. However, one stat that jumps out at me is his strikeout:walk ration (23 Ks, 11 walks). La Velle says Gardy plans on putting Casilla in the 2-hole…once again, we’re dealing with a case, much like Harris, where your 2-hitter strikes out more than twice as much as he walks.
I am with those who think Mauer should bat second and move everyone up…this way you can have Harris bat seventh and Casilla bat ninth (assuming Gardy has a change of heart over the All Star break and does the right thing by making Punto the utility guy).
BC….During the All Star Break, some players will be at the Dome for work, it is not just 4 days off for all of them. I am guessing that Alexi is being asked to report, along with some others, for some fundamental work with the staff. I may be wrong, but that is my guess.
Benny W–
La Velle said “(Gardy) will find time for both (Punto) and (Harris) at shortstop”
I don’t think he made that up on his own. This situation does not call for a tryout. Both players have had ample opportunity to show their worth. Gardy needs to say definitively that Harris is his SS and Punto will assume a utility role, no matter how difficult that is for him to do.
Anything short of that and we’re right back to this nice long discussion.
Dr. Don i wasn’t aware of that but it still seems odd that they would pull him after one AB in a game as if he was needed the next day or something.
I agree with DrDon. Casilla has done his work with the minor league staff. Time to get him up here for 4 days of work with the mlb staff, and then hit the road with the team (and not his own flight from NY) to Texas
Maybe Shawn, thrylos, sane, or others can shed some light on this…. When the call comes for a player in AAA to come up, generally that player is either scratched from the line up or pulled immediately. Also, the AAA break corresponds with the MLB All Star Break. Get him up here and put him to work.
Harris is an asset in the 7 hole and a liability in the 2 hole. If three lefties in a row are a problem, move a righty with some pop (Cuddy) into the 3 hole between M&M. Problem solved.
On Lexi: I can understand giving him a chance to revitalize his career, but why force him into the top of the lineup? Seems to me you would want to ease him back into the lineup. Again, Gardy needs to rethink his archaic baseball axioms.
I would imagine Lexi was pulled due to injury risk, no matter how slight the odds are.
That’s part of the thought process behind all of this, OB.
With regard to managerial tactics, nothing like a little Earl Weaver interview.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1157671/index.htm
OB, I got this current issue of SI the other day, great article on Earl W.
Indeed. My favorite quote (to the ballplayers):
“Look, guys, you win games, the manager loses them. And I don’t want to lose. So you better win a lot of games.”
Great article OB i like the discusion about making the last out and now i’m wondering what current Twin has made the last out the most times.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - the Nick Punto contract this off-season was the worst signing in all of baseball. Defensively (at SS), he is only slightly better than Harris, but not enough to offset Harris’ obvious advantage at the plate. And regardless of what Gardy said to Sid recently, NO OTHER TEAM was going to give Punto anywhere near the amount of money we gave him. My recollection from the offseason is that only the Phillies were reported as being moderately interested in him, and you can be certain they weren’t going to use him as their every day anything (Utley at 2B, Rollins at SS, Feliz at 3B - although he probably would have got some time at SS given Rollins problems over this first half). Gardy is writing fiction when he says “there’s about 20 other teams that were after him.” Poppycock. Why any reporter (including Sid) doesn’t ask him, “which other teams?” as a follow-up to this load of hooey, is beyond me. That said, it isn’t the reporters fault the Twins signed Punto to the deal…I’d just like to see Twins management called to the carpet on this one even a little bit.
I certainly hope the Twins do something to improve this season, or certainly during the offseason. Go read the front page Joe Mauer story in Sunday’s paper. Read the parts very carefully regarding wanting to win and wanting the front office to be more active. Now go back and read some of the same things Johan was saying right around the time of the Castillo trade. What I took from it (and maybe you won’t take the same thing) is that more than anything, he wants to win and you don’t want to pi$$ him off. And I get the distinct impression that a good way to pi$$ him off would be if the front office didn’t try to improve the team. The guy wants to win TWO World Series. The article should be required reading for Twins’ management, and someone who can read between the lines should interpret it for them. Am I paranoid that Mauer is going to get pi$$ed off, reach through a stained glass window to reach Bill Smith, shake him silly, then sign a deal with the Angels when he becomes a free agent? Yes. Yes, I am.
Speaking of Mauer - he swings for the fences during BP on Sunday in preparation for tonight’s HR Derby, then he goes out and whiffs four times. Coincidence? Here’s hoping that post-All-Star break, the home run swing issues that Morneau talked about don’t affect Mauer the same way.
And that said, I hope he wins the Derby.
spectacular post, scottz.
I would just reiterate that the lineup on Friday is going to be very symbolic (it’s our 2nd Opening Night of the year). Anything less than Harris at SS and Punto on bench (if not at 2nd, I suppose) is completely unacceptable. Gardy should not be given leave to make the same mistake twice.
Gardy’s a good guy and a good manager…he deserves the right to put together his lineup as he sees fit. But that doesn’t extend to filling out lineup cards which include a player who–after many, many chances–is simply not a MLB starter.
Friday’s lineup should set the record straight on this issue: Harris is the SS, Punto is the new Tolbert. Period. This shouldn’t rotate night-by-night.
Is the word out of Pittsburgh that the Pirates wouldn’t take Delmon for Sanchez, or that the Twins were reluctant to trade him…?
Jason: I tend to agree with you, but we do have to look at one more thing: Who is starting for Texas friday night? What are Harris’ #’s against him?
I find it hard to believe harris could have worse #’s than Punto against anyone, but its worth looking at.
“but we do have to look at one more thing: Who is starting for Texas friday night? What are Harris’ #’s against him?”
fcmlefty,
See, that’s the type of analysis I argue we SHOULD NOT be getting into when we decide who starts at short. This should be like Cuddyer in right…Harris is the shortstop unless he needs a day off, period. On Friday, he’ll be coming off four days off, so my guess is fatigue will not be an issue.
Let’s compare the two:
Harris .275/.318/.392, 15 2B, 5 HR, 26 RBI
Punto .201/.319/.223, 4 2B, 0 HR 16 RBI
How often do you see a player with a slugging percentage that is 100 points lower than his OBP?
What’s scary about that comparison by ES16, to me, is the identical OBPs. Why is Harris hitting in the 2 hole if he gets on base as often as LNP?
OB,
Yet, if Harris bats 6,7,8 or 9 his stats are all-star caliber.
I’d say serviceable.
Yet, if Harris bats 6,7,8 or 9 his stats are all-star caliber.
Harris’ stats are not “all-star caliber” no matter where he bats in the lineup. “Serviceable” is a better description, as OB said above.
This kind of thinking is similar to the “So-and-So’s fine in the nine hole” theory. Similar to the “Punto’s just fine as long as everyone else is doing their job” crap we got from Gardy in Sid’s column.
You can’t hide a poor glove in the field, and you can’t hide a poor hitter by batting him at the bottom of the lineup. All that does is limit the damage. He still comes up to bat once every time through the lineup, and the outs he makes still count, same as any other spot in the lineup.
Sanchez’s .302/.339/.425 still look better. If you had him batting #2, then you could legitimately move Harris down to 7th or 8th in the order.
Hopefully there is still some slim chance the Pirates would take Delmon in exchange for Freddy. Throw in a pitching prospect if you have to….then maybe Pittsburgh pays part of Freddy’s salary.
Jason: I look it at it in a little bigger picture than that. I’d say it’s essentially a given that Punto gets one start at SS in the Texas series. I want him starting the game that the odds say Harris would be least productive in. its easy to just say, OK, Punto gets the sunday afternoon game, becuase thats what the tired old baseball axiom says (just like, for some reason Redmond has to start the day game after a night game, instead of starting the one game in a series where he has the best chance of success)
Finally.
I hope Casilla is ready. I am tired of the mediocrity in the non-big names. Guys like Punto, Tolbert, Buscher have to get good pitches because no one wants to face Morneau or Mauer or Kubel or Cuddy. How can these guys hit .205?
The organization desperately needs to make a move. I know, we Twins fans say this every year. But, this year is a Mauer year. Not only does he have a real shot at winning the batting title again, but he’s hitting home runs and driving guys in. He is at the top of his game — and he’ll want to play for a winning club. And, with guys like Buscher and Punto and Tolbert and too many others hitting .205, there is no way he’ll want to stay here.
package redmond and casilla in a trade together for anything a cheap reliever…and bring up tolleson or dinkleman…and maybe even put valencia at 2nd
Buscher over the last month: .273/.429/.409 (28 PAs). A bad May should not tarnish the man forever.
USAFChief,
Here are Harris’ numbers in the other spots in the batting order:
6th - .327/.400/.469
7th - .308/.357/.423
8th - .750/.800/1.000
9th - .333/.333/.500
A C. Guzman/Casilla DP combo would be good. Guzman could be the big brother of Casilla too.
But Guzman’s low OBP — even though he’s hitting over .300 — is identical to Punto’s at .319. So, he’s definitely not a 2-hole guy.
BTW, after Go-Go hit his 2-RBI single, the look on his face was something I don’t remember seeing before — determined and non-celebratory, with a closed mouth. He almost looked like he was pissed.
A mature look. A good sign.
Happy to hear that romer. Go-Go’s time is coming.
Thanks, ES16, for your 1:42 post. Like I’ve been saying, no more Harris in the 2-hole please.
Yet, congrats to him for his outstanding day yesterday. Glad to see he remains determined.
Yes OB, I’ve been changing my mind lately about Buscher at the plate. He hasn’t had much chance to hit. They’re always walking him.
Even through yesterday, I’ve been clamoring for Morales to stay on the 25-man and to get playing time. But he either has to start more or they might as well send him down to Roch.
And they’re not going to release Redmond….there just aren’t enough seasoned veterans on this team.
I don’t crucify Buscher for a bad month. I just don’t think he offers the versitility that is needed, especially if they are going to add a pitcher, and drop a position player.
Any other team, and I’d say its an easy choice - you drop the 3rd catcher. But Mauer is needed at DH, and I don’t think any other team uses thier catchers that way. Buscher just gets caught up in the numbers game in my scenario.
Those taking the over aren’t allowed to pad the count by saying it themselves
Update: I have it on good authority that Jack Morris and one caller both called Casilla “just like making a trade.”
So the counts up to 2.
ES16: Show me Harris’ numbers for the year, and for his career. Those are the ones that matter.
We might be misunderstanding each other.
Here’s my points:
1. Harris isn’t a good enough hitter to be regularly chewing up PAs as a two hitter right in front of Mauer/Morneau. IIn the absence of a good option for a 2 hitter, just slide everyone up a slot aand put Harris down somewhere towards the bottom of the lineup. Sidebar: Harris’ numbers are not ‘all-star’ no matter where you bat him.
2. Don’t misconstrue that to mean I don’t think Harris should be playing. He should be playing ahead of Punto, nearly full time.
3. I don’t like the theory that Punto’s offense doesn’t hurt a team because he bats low in the order. Of course it does.
someone requested career stats for Harris on where he bats in the line up…
2nd (459 PA) .249 33BB 81k
6th (306 PA) .296 20BB 50k
7th (214 PA) .265 20BB 42k
8th (184 PA) .289 13BB 35k
9th (187 PA) .299 8BB 36k
also as aggravating as it maybe he is also suprising good when he is batting with a strike so that is probably why he swings at a lot of 1st pitches plus he hits first pitches at a .331 clip.
Any update on Boof?
and for fairness Nicky…. now granted he has I think 5 more years on Harris
2nd (1051 PA) .260 100BB 179k
6th (6 PA) .400 0BB 1k
7th (32 PA) .355 1BB 2k
8th (378 PA) .250 32BB 65k
9th (703 PA) .238 74BB 115k
and his production at the plate is like his production by the season in May, July, and Sept he is serviceable, in April, and June he is hitting roughly 15 points lower than the previous month.
You people all have great comments, and obviously you all watch the game.
In my opinion, the Punto/Harris thing is pretty obvious, Harris has appeared to play better at the plate, which is greatly needed now. I feel the Twins are obviously in need of another hitter, and where can you fit him in? Probably 2nd base, Cassila obviously isn’t the answer, and in the short term never will be. Sanchez, obviously isn’t coming here. Maybe the Twins just brought Casilla up to shop him around?
Joe Mauer is in the hole!!!
BACKBACKBACK ! ! !
Here is a switch from past years — this team is good enough 1 - 9 to win the division — the problem has been the starting pitching. If you are going to make a deal, go get a good starting pitcher
Nick Punto doesn’t belong at SS on a regular basis. He dives too much, wears himself out, then flails weakly at the plate with a beat up body. Some guys just dive too much, and that’s Nick Punto, despite heroics on the field and on the base paths. Punto goes back to utility.
Harris belongs at SS, despite a few feet less range than Punto. Harris has far more pop in his bat, is a good base runner, and his arm is strong. I give Punto the edge in little things like bunting, but that’s not enough to sit Harris.
At third, I’d send down Buscher and bring up either Tolleson or Valencia. If Crede’s back goes out again (or to rest him), you’ve got to have a replacement, and both AAA players have good gloves and good pop, which is also nice to have in pinch hitting situations. Buscher needs to play every day in AAA to get his eye back and sharpen his glove work.
Jose Morales goes nowhere. If anything, I cut Redmond, make Morales the backup catcher and bring up one more relief pitcher. The Twins will need hot bats going forward, and Morales is hot on both sides of the plate, a rare and precious thing. Keep working on his throw to second, and get his bat in the lineup more often!
Casilla…Well, who knows? My mom sure likes him and his big nose, but if he doesn’t show some consistency this time up, it may be time to try somebody else and wave bye-bye to Alexi. That could be Tolleson until the dude from the Gophers shows up… Go Gophers!
Jimbo92107:
Tolleson has never played third in the minors, so I don’t think they are going to bring him up and play him at 3rd in the Bigs.
Tolleson does NOT have good pop in his bat. He’s a small guy that is best suited for 2nd base. And I don’t think they want to bring up Valencia and have him sit most everyday when he can get regular ABs at AAA.
Who will play 1st base if Morneau goes down today? Of yeah, we have Cuddy. Or as you people think, just stick Morales over there…….I think there is a reason Morales in no longer in the infield………
Gophers……….????????????
if gardy plays punto at ss then its time to trade harris. they have f—– with that guys mind to much already. how embarrassing that he has to worry about starting.
What about Escobar from Atlanta. They have been rumored willing to move him for a while now. Doesn’t have a ton of power but a consitant 300 hitter. I think Olney said they would move him for a bat. He is only 26 so we could pencil him in for a few years
to add to what ag said, he only makes around 400 k this year. A post on mlb trade rumors said that he might be had for cuddyer or span (i am hoping young)
pretty good all star game. my comment has more to do with the twins extending their payroll over the next few years to seriously fill out their roster to compete for a world championship over the next several years while mauer and morneau are in their prime. if they dont they may risk losing maurer to free agency, from the article i read in sundays paper mauer wants to win not just be on the proverbial doorstep year in and out on a cheap payroll by the twins. twins better get this message to spend some money to finish building this team into a world series caliber team and i do believe if mauer sees no change in payroll spending he will opt out and i would cheer him for his decision and jeer the twins for being cheap in conditions that now warrant a significant increase in payroll to obtain what they need over the next few years. if they want to stay fiscally “responsible” and hold their belt tight they will screw themselves the fans and the team it would be stupid lets not be stupid twins and just get by,
when i wrote that maurer wants to win in my last comment the message was clear that he would at least seriously consider leaving via free agency if the team doest look to be improving to chanpionship caliber, again i celebrate joe for challenging management to do more but i have no doubt the kid wants to stay home here and do it here so do i
Send bush down,nicky has to be the utility guy.harris has earned ss and gardy will stick with him, sexy lexi(lol) or sanchez/b roberts in the 2 spot.It is time for the twins to pay back the fans for the stadium and and make a bleep’n upgrade at 2b.brian roberts or sanchez.i like harris at 8 or 9 spot.shuffeling young and gomez is not working! Who you going with..cut your losses and dump delmon,or send him down and let gomez play center with span in left,major defensive upgrade.
Matt Tolbert says he “used to be able to hit”. If that’s true, his swing must have deteriorated considerably because right now it’s as ugly as anything you’ll see even at the little league level. I don’t know of anyone that has success at the plate the way he drops his hands into the swing. I can’t believe no one has pointed this out to him. Vavra?
