Twins-Tribe: No reinforcements expected
Posted on September 15th, 2009 – 5:56 PMBy La Velle
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was asked if there was a chance the club would summon any more bodies from the minors now that Justin Morneau, Joe Crede and Justin Huber are all banged up, with Morneau done for the season and Crede likely done.
“Talked about it,” he said. “Squelched.”
Gardy explained that a couple players he had in mind, infielders Luke Hughes and Trevor Plouffe, are playing in the World Cup in Europe. Others, like third baseman Danny Valencia and first baseman Brock Peterson (.344 post All-Star break) are not on the 40-man roster.
Sounded like the manager asked for help but was denied.
Huber is going to need a few days to recover from his strained oblique muscle, which can be a nagging injury. Crede indicated before the game that he might see a couple doctors about his back and try one more time to play this season.
The Twins still have 14 healthy position players to choose from.
Morneau is expected to travel with the team during its final road trip of the regular season. Gardenhire wants his presence in the clubhouse and on the bench.
Update: I spoke to Bill Smith. who said he’s staying in contact with Gardy about the roster. “Right now, we are going to sit tight and see how the rest of the club plays out over the next few days,” he said.
Lineups
Cleveland (61-82)
1. Michael Brantley, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, 2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
4. Jhonny Peralta, 3B
5. Travis Hafner, DH
6. Andy Marte, 1B
7. Matt LaPorta, RF
8. Lou Marson, C
9. Trvor Crowe. LF
Pitching: Fausto Carmona, RHP
Twins (72-72)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brian Buscher, DH
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: Scott Baker, RHP
210 Responses to "Twins-Tribe: No reinforcements expected"
Buscher’s gonna tear it up
Typical that the front office wouldn’t have confidence in the team enough to even try to get Hughes or Plouffe back in the USA to get here. You can’t tell me those guys would reject having a chance to play in the majors. If they would, they shouldn’t be in the organization.
It seems more odd to me that they can’t make room for Valencia.
Do they not currently lack for third base options?
Is he NOT the plan for third base next year?
Does he not need a 40 man roster spot this winter anyway?
Is a month of MLB minimum salary a big deal?
Cabrera continues along in the 2 spot.
While he’s never been a solid #2 hitter here, at least when he 1st came to the Twins, he was hitting hot enough that it wasn’t quite so blatantly wrong. Now, while it may not affect our season’s outcome that much anyway, it’s still mind boggling to have such a mediocre hitter in the 2 spot in front of the league’s best hitter. I’m probably beating a dead horse here, but I just wonder how Gardy justifies this one?
sad thin is OC is the best option for the 2-hole, with Mauer batting 3rd, Gardy’s just dancing with who brought him
Let’s see a multi-hit game from Mauer again! I’d like that 
KC is already up! Let’s make a statement tonight! Go Twins!!1!
wow. this has got to be the worst defensive outfield that gadentired could play. busher as DH? can’t you just see the terror in cleveland pitchers’ eyes as they get to the bottom of the order? oh, well….. let’s hope for the best. amazing that luke hughes would even be considered over valencia (roster moves are made all the time) as they flip-flopped them between rochester and new britian. if baker can solve the indians, we still could win this game. maybe joe will park a couple……
seems the twins have been caberra’s “cooler”.
gomez can’t even get an everyday spot even when cuddyer moves to first
There’s been enough commentary over the season that leads me to believe there’s a Gardy/BS head butting. Not unexpected since Smith didn’t put Gardenhire in that position…Gardy’s not his guy, necessarily.
Perhaps T98 will realize his dream and read sometime soon that Gardy is resigning to take a year off to “gather himself”, all the while knowing that he’ll be able to score a job in the offseason or after next season.
I really don’t think the manager of the millenium and the “baseball head” are on the same page. There have been quite a few references of disagreements between the two over this year.
This is OUR team, folks. Let’s support them. Gardy can’t control the injuries or the less than spectacular pitching results this year. They’ve been fun to watch this year. The stake is not yet in the heart.
Young, Buscher, Tolbert, Punto
ugh….
if my calculations are correct, magglio ordonez’s 3rd plate appearance during this game is going to cost the tigers 18 million buckaroos. although he is improving from earlier when he was terrible, he is gonna be a money pit for the tigers next year.
Nice to see Tolbert back at third. Couple of hit last night. Rangy and quick at third.
Though he has struggled a little, Buscher is a very good hitter. He carries a reasonably high on base percentage.
Kubel isn’t fast, but he is a better fielder than people think. He tracks balls well and is generally reliable, though not flashy.
I expect the hitters to rise to the occassion with Morneau out. I like Gardenhire’s lineup.
Fredo, maybe Gardy will resign.
Agreed Fredo.
Is it that big of a deal to remove someone from the 40-man roster so they could add Valencia, given the situation? Once Crede is officially done for the year, would we then drop him from the 40-man & call up Valencia? How long will Crede or the team wait to declare what the rest of us have known since July–that Crede is done?
Mary Ann,
I think Crede along with Cabrera, Redmond and Pavano drop off the roster at the end of the year when they declare free agency.
“He carries a reasonably high on base percentage.”
True, but we need some hitting from Buscher tonight — knock somebody in……. rather than on-base for Punto and Tolbert to slowly (if at all) move him around station-to-station.
3 K’s, 1 BB, and 0 hits for Tejada after 2 innings v. Detoilette.
Par for the course for him.
Boy am I glad a)Seattle demanded something in return when the Twins claimed him last august, and b)they didn’t trade for him thus July.
Tonight–1IP, 4ER.
Let’s go Twins B squad! Battle your tails off!
That true about Buscher, romer. I was trying to find something good to say about him. He’s been kicked around on the blogs pretty hard this year.
I’m trying to find something good to say about the Twins players. Like you suggested.
“He’s been kicked around on the blogs pretty hard this year.”
Not by me much, Bunting — especially as the season wore on. It was his bad luck that no one would let him get going (although his poor arm was one of the reasons why) — because the Twins didn’t play him much, and pitchers kept walking him, especially when he pinch-hit.
He didn’t do very well at AAA the past month or so. He’s hungry. Let’s see if he can crank something.
True Bunting. I was hoping for some time a lot closer to yesterday, in Crede’s case.
I think if there is any chance Crede is going to be able to play, they’re going to put off putting him on the DL as long as possible.
As far as the guys that are at the world cup, I don’t know the details of the arrangements that were made to allow them to play the world cup, but it is possible that they would not be allowed to return to play major league ball this year.
Also, why is everyone so hot on Valencia? He hasn’t been on the 40 all year long, and they certainly have had good reason to put him on with Crede’s numerous injuries, and they have had plenty of opportunities to do so. They have not. He is not ready for the major leagues, plain and simple. Gardy himself has said so at least once. He might be the 3b of the future, but the future is not now, and it’s not going to be next year either.
I don’t think we’ll see Valencia in a Twins uniform until next September at the earliest.
looks like we got Johan Baker hurlin tonight
i too would like to see buscher’s name in the lineup more often.
True what Mike says about Valencia. The Twins added Huber and pitchers to the 40 man. If they wanted to add Valencia, they could have.
Perhaps T98 will realize his dream and read sometime soon that Gardy is resigning
Amen
btw, y’all. There is no need to take anyone off the 40-man roster to get Valencia and Peterson up. Just put Morneau and Crede to the 60-man DL. Duh.
Looks like Tejeda is pitching for the Twins too.
Why would you not put Morneau and Crede on the disabled list and bring up Valencia and Peterson since they would then be able to be added to the 40 man roster?? Bill Smith is a royal doofer.
Buscher was one of the Twins best hitters against right handers in 2008. He was also an excellent RBI man in limited action. His 2008 efforts shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly.
Bill Smith needs to go. He just might be the most clueless executive in all of baseball. The trades he has done have virtually done nothing for the ball club. Tolbert, Punto, Buscher all suck. Gardy is forced to play these weak hitting losers. Adding Valencia should be a no brainer. It’s amazing they can’t figure out a way to get him on the 40 man roster.
thrylos,
Is there a certain period of time that a team has to wait to move a player from the 15 day to the 60 day disabled list?
I’m not sure, that’s why I’m asking.
I know a player on the 60 day list is not officially counted as one of the 40.
Nice start for a team without it’s starting 1st and 3rd baseman playing anymore.
KC 7-0. Are you kidding!!!
KC once again playing for the title of “September Champion.”
Nice AB Brian.
Fire Bill Smith! This is ridicules that the manager asks for more help in AAA and can’t even get permission from BS? What a joke!!! One and done Smith….one and done.
Great job Butcher.
so stupid question but who took the spot of Mulvey then when he was “claimed” by Arizona? He was on the 40 man and there are now 40 on the roster….
Hey! The Royals are stomping the Tigers, 7-0.
If they can keep that up all series, maybe we should all chip in and send them a case of champagne…
Drive him in Span.
Punto’s on fire!
Driving Drunk? Costly Error.
well buscher had his chance…… yuk.
Scouting Rpt from Rochester on Valencia he had trouble hitting Triple A curve balls settle down he is not ready and is not ready for 2010
already 1-6 with risp. if things average out, we should be ok for the rest of the game…..
a one run lead is not going to cut it with baker on the mound. someone not named mauer needs to man up and get a cluch hit.
Bill Smith should be removed from GM and the Front office re-stocked by new talent like Promoting Paul Molitor to a higher position such as GM or assn’t GM or ask Terry Ryan to comeback as GM But Smith is in over his head and his assn’t Rob Anthony (Spelling?) is way over his head. This is the greatest malpractice in the Twins front office in several years. This season has been a waste. 2010 will be same if Smith remains.
Bremer is a buffoon. He says Eric Wedge isn’t to blame for the Indians struggling this year and then gives Wedge all the credit for the Indians’ playoff run a couple years ago.
please… terry ryan? bill smith is just his clone……….. NEW BLOOD please.
Benny W.,
Sounds like the other manager in the game.
Yes it does.
Maybe some new blood is what this team needs. Maybe Delmon will get hot in an everyday role…one can hope right?
i always hope that the runner on first will at least try to steal when gidpyer is up with less than two outs…… at least it will save the double play….even if he is thrown out.
LA Twin, why won’t a one run lead be enough? Baker has been nothing short of great the second half of the season.
Also, I agree that no one from the minors is ready to help right now. Valencia struggled in AAA, what makes anyone think he will magically figure out how to hit breaking balls in the majors? Brock Peterson? I’ll agree he’s probably better than Buscher but if Cuddy plays first most days I don’t think Peterson is really any better than Delmon or Carlos(who will now play more outfield).
there ya go….another gidpyer DP
h2oface,
I think you are on to something.
because baker is going to give up a long ball in the near future - probably to a guy with 2 hrs all year.
If your going to DH somebody other than Kubel or Mauer, shouldn’t it be Morales…not Buscher?
bringing the hungry young prospects up sure works for other teams… and how do you know they aren’t ready until you give them a shot. would you rather just crush their enthusiasm instead? buscher alreday had his shot…. and if you go by how he performed in AAA this year …batting .179…. then he certainly isn’t ready.
probably will be either marson or crowe who goes deep.
Fire Bill Smith! This is ridicules that the manager asks for more help in AAA and can’t even get permission from BS? What a joke!!!
hmmm
you’ve heard the propagation of Gardy’s story. Do not draw conclusions until you hear Smith’s story, if someone is willing to ask him about it…
rare poor throw to secong by joe…. so the next guy is out!
that change up was strike 3 on gameday.
strib all I can pull up here at work, anyone have the Detroit score?
8-1 KC leading.
after 6.
Twins never steal bases anymore.
yikes….. the crooked inning by baker?
Nick34……It’s hard to steal bases when most of your speed is on the bench all the time.
baker obviously peaked at the out of town scoreboard and saw that KC was crushing the Tigers.
LA_Twin … spot on… a one run lead is not gonna do it………
it’s always a good idea to leave a bunch of guys on base against a team you should beat and just let them hang around.
seems like the twins lose focus this year way to often.
This is why Baker will never be an ace. Well, number one, he has no heart. We knew that already. Number two, he knows the Tigers are losing, so of course he comes up with a clunker. The only one who thinks he’s an ace is Bill Smith. Why he hasn’t been fired yet is beyond me.
Short update up top
Mind boggling not to promote Valencia. Mind boggling to DH Buscher. Mind boggling all around right now, at least from my den.
Too bad Baker gave it up there. I think its safe to say “he’s done”.
If KC sweeps the Twins can pick up a 1/2 game this week! That would be great
KC 11, Detoilet 1, still top of 7.
Thanks LaVelle.
i just do’t even like watching delmon young…… ever. waddle waddle…..
kc up 11-1 now, twins do not stand a chance of winning this one.
La Velle, how long is Huber out?
Thanks for the update LaVelle. I don’t understand what he’s trying to tell us, but thanks.
Pretty sweet, Punto!
Morneau’s injury will give Gardy another excuse for this season. “Well, we can’t fire him because Morneau and Slowey and Perkins were hurt.” Next year the excuse will be “Well, the new stadium was disorienting.” Then in 2011 it will be “Well, losing Mauer to free agency is a big blow and you can’t expect any manager to succeed in that situation.” Get ready for more seasons of mediocrity. Or as I like to call it, medioc-gardy.
punto batting .375 in september. we sure can use a little of that.
PUNTO! Lovin it…
It would be hillarious if the Twins end up riding the bat of Punto to make the playoffs. I wouldn’t have to spend a dollar on entertainment the rest of the fall- I would just sit back and read this blog every night.
Don’t let Baker throw one pitch in the fifth, call the bullpen
Outrageous, O-Cab!
O-CAB!!! Lovin it times 2…
Atta boy, OCab!!!
surprised he isnt going to play his secret lover punto at 1st.
Not watching on TV. Was the plunk intentional (brushback?) or loss of control?
Thanks Big Jon!
waddle waddle…. i’ll take the double.
still don’t like watching him.
Neither, wisc….just an inside pitch that Hafner never moved at all.
Atta boy, Buschman.
Brilliant Butcher!
Dy, LNP, and Bucher…unlikely heroes for the game so far.
gardentired is a genious!
Lucky for Buscher!!!!!
PUNTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
amazing!
Buscher no like Ullger stop-sign
PUNTO!!!
I can’t believe Buscher ran through Ulger’s sign!
3-3 with 2 RBI.
What a worthless hitter…
Buscher was lucky on that one. What was he thinking by trying to score on that? I’ll take it though.
OK, I can’t resist. How can any baseball organization be so incompetent as to play the likes of Punto and Buscher. Please note sarcasm….
Buscher running like he want some action at the plate….no way was the catcher gonna hang on to the ball.
“Right now, we are going to sit tight and see how the rest of the club plays out over the next few days,” he said.
does smith know there are only a few days left? maybe he thinks it’s still july. can you really afford to maybe give a game away because of a short bench at this time of the year?
branden, sometimes you not only look like an idjit, you write like out.
…you write like one
“Get ready for more seasons of mediocrity. Or as I like to call it, medioc-gardy.”
Twins Rule, we’ll just nickname you sunshine. How about that?
Twins cannot lose with Delmon in the lineup.
Just started watching……Baker allows only 5 hits and 2 walks, and he needs 102 pitches to get through 5-1/3?!!???
What happened?
Bet he was pitching his ass off.
Foul Ball Baker showed up in the 2nd or 3rd inning
Gotcha, stinky.
Didn’t work the best tonight.
Previously in the 2nd half this year, it’s worked pretty damned good — getting him W’s and a low ERA and all.
It seems frustrating a lot though.
Lovin the new reliever corps.
Sheesss, this feels like a pennant race or something.
If we can finish this one off tonight and win tomorrow, I would say that the Tigs may feel a little pressure.
I spoke to Bill Smith. who said he’s staying in contact with Gardy about the roster. “Right now, we are going to sit tight and see how the rest of the club plays out over the next few days,” he said
La Velle,
here is a direct (two part) question one should probably ask (but nobody will, for good reasons) Smith:
a. Is Gardy a pain in the rear as a subordinate? b. If so, why haven’t you fired him yet?
just saying…
I love it when Young is in the lineup, put Cuddy back at third or better yet at second and play Young everyday. I want to see him in that lineup almost everyday and Gomez and Spahn in the outfield. Dammit we have good young players, let them grow a bit and we shall be fine!!!
cuddy is due…sac fly?
Good AB by Young. Thin Cleveland’s BP out a bit for tomorrow.
“Good AB by Young. Thin Cleveland’s BP out a bit for tomorrow.”
Had the same thought, but wasn’t sure if it was sarcastic…
Well we really should have gotten a run there, Young battled, what the hell was Cuddy swinging at? Man he is really clueless about the strike zone. If he had some plate discipline he could easily hit .300.
“a. Is Gardy a pain in the rear as a subordinate? b. If so, why haven’t you fired him yet?”
a) it doesn’t matter because b) it’s mid-september and the twins are in yet another pennant race.
just sayin …
The way Cuddyer flails at breaking balls it got me thinking……… how cool it would be to look at real pitching and see if i could disern pitches
Superb little play by Punto
open question, does anyone here live anywhere near Cedar Rapids Iowa? do you get Twins games down there?
I believe JimCrikket is from Cedar Rapids.
Yeah a pennat race and a sad sack one at that. Truth be told this division has not played up to its capabilities as a whole. Most likely this will keep Gardenslog around for another year, the combination of all our injuries and in a pennat race in September makes for the perfect fodder to keep him.
matty G could be a closer
thanks romer, i’ll ask him
Well, that idiot Gardy and the moron Smith are putting another pennant race together. Seems that they are just too stupid to realize that this team doesn’t stand a chance against anyone. Seems that most of their players should be fine-tuning their play in the minors or flat out have been cut. Stupid, stupid management team.
Poor Casilla……he has to pinch run and peer in at Tolbert doin’ the batting.
Okay we win and incerdibly it is 4 1/2 games out, it is now Nathan time, 1,2,3, no extra pitches or meltdown mode, now you earn your money to make this race at least interesting.
Was buscher’s plunk intentional? I really hate Gameday…but too cheap for mlb.tv.
it can not be any more clear now. BILL SMITH HAS NO BUSINESS AS A GM AND SHOULD BE REMOVED.
Hey ME TOO cut the sarcasam, I think Smith is really trying and will do better with time and in the future his deals might not look so bad. Gardy, his managing tactics have cost us at least 10 years and as I have stated this guy is not good enough to get us to the Promised Land.
Let’s score this runner on 3rd this time. Casilla’s beard has grown an inch since I last seen him in a game.
I’m in Des Moines
That’s okay Punto. Can’t do it all by yourself…
i wouldn’t say the twins are in a pennant race. they are in a race to see which poor team will not suck as bad as the other central div teams. which ever team wins the central will have a very hard time in any playoff series they play. there really isn’t a good team in the div.
Span with 3 SO’s. That doesn’t happen too often. LNP gets the game ball if the Twins hold on here and Nathan closes it out.
gobbledygookguy: The old clithce’…Thats why they play the games.
Sarcasm? Sarcasm? Who says it’s sarcasm? I thought many people in here consider Gardy and Smith idiots, and have said it over, and over, and over, and over…
Seems the ones that are calling them idiots seem to know an idiot when they see one, too bad it is usually in a mirror.
Nathan at it again.
uh oh…
Maybe Nathan needs an MRI.
hotchy motchy, no bueno.
“Maybe Nathan needs an MRI.”
Haha. Indeed. Let’s scan the whole team!
hows about brain scans for all us bloggers?
Man, I feel like Nathan’s gonna blow this (again). What’s his deal lately?
Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing mickey
I thought this umpire had a hot date waiting at the hotel but even he couldn’t make that last ball a strike.
Nathan concerns me in that he seems to have lost the art of getting ahead of hitters and not being able to throw strikes consistently. His pitch counts go into the 20’s too many times lately. C’mon Nathan..Close the coffin!!
amrekman,
you get the Twins on cable down there?
Nathan should have asked Bill Smith for a new closer.
Shawn-
I live in North Liberty which is just south of Cedar Rapids and we get FSN thru Southslope Communications
nathan is cooked for the year…. just can’t get the third aout easily anymore…..and the whole team knows it… but he is their man… come hell or high water…. 5 blown saves already is a lot….
C’mon Shaggy!
This is bad. Nathan almost never throws over. He’s not sure he can get the batter out.
wasn’t that defensive indifference? he he
thanks luke,
i might be moving that way and i know the package is blacked out
All right…. 4 and a half behind….Detoilet feeling the heat!!!
Nathan is reminding me more and more of Every Day Eddie.
Yeesh. All’s well that ends well, but man, is he turning into Ron Davis or what?
Whew!
that’s our boy!
Good win Twins. Tomorrow is another big day game..Go Twins!!!
*whew*
What is Nathan’s deal lately? Man, he barely escaped this one.
congrats are in order then Shawn????
turning into that punk eddie……
All’s well that ends well.
not yet Don,
just been something i was concerned about, i know iowa is blacked out on the package
Nathan saved it, but man he is cooked, cannot last a whole year. In the playoffs he’d get hit like a pinata at a birthday bash. We over paid this guy, he’s getting up their in age and his velocity is falling off. Won’t throw strike, not good for a closer, only using deception. Hpe Guerra climbs the ladder quick…
OK, Shawn, good luck anyway…Go for it.
Hi, Shawn.
I have DirecTV at at home — Twins games are part of the SportsChannel package (not the Extra Innings) and has all of them that are televised.
Shawn, don’t bite your nails…..have a beer!
thanks amtrek,
i have the sportspack here too, i am glad i have options if i move.
I said sarcasam you moron and Gardy while not an idiot clearly is not a great manager and is a piss poor motivator and communicator. Keep him around year after year and watch this team underachieve and implode year after year, yeah that’s a lot of fun…..
no beer romer, i won’t hear until at least friday, just covering the things i want to know
Bunting Twins, Dick just used the perfect word.
He said Buscher “flicked” a hit to score that run (Young). A very professional swing.
His reward? A HBP. And with the previous BB, they still aren’t letting him get going, are they.
And don’t forget, he scored the winning run tonight.
Wow, at this moment, Mauer has a 22 point lead in the batting title race.
a little starting pitching could go a long way from here on out.
Detoilette’s Washburn only able to complete 1 inning tonight. He has the sore knee. Robertson has a nagging injury.
Looks like they’re both done as starters. That presumably means their replacements are Bonine (6.11) and Galarraga (5.46).
So the Tiggs starting staff has nothing on the Twins starting staff. And closer Rodney is having his probs much like Nathan.
Both teams are having probs scoring runs lately. Should be a good, close series this weekend.
aj just gave the sox the lead by lining a two-out two-run single on a 10-pitch at-bat. seventh inning.
Yeah I’m watching, mickey.
Just watched Leyland’s post-game. He looks bugged and nervous…….like someone’s biting at his ass.
Let’s hope Gardy can outlast Wee Willie Billy. What an accountant for GM disaster!I don’t agree with a lot of what Gardy does anymore, but to have to manage the players that Smith has given him, plus remembering the ones Smith GAVE away for crap, make Gardy almost a saint.
where’s sane been? mike carp hit a triple and i believe that’s one of his former players.
Does Nathan’s fastball look like it has tailed away from left handed batters a LOT more than it used to (say, even in June)? His fastball earlier this year and previous years had a little tail, but this recent fastball slides 6-8 inches as it approaches the plate. And at the same time, the slider doesn’t seem to bite as much as it used to either.
Whether or not Valencia is the guy at 3B next year, they like him enough that they didn’t want to trade him earlier this year. So if it is 2010 or 2011, they think he could well be a part of this team. Then why would they not bring him up? Not being on the 40 man roster is a weak excuse, and I think Gardy knows that, and I think he knows it puts heat on Smith.
Here’s my crackpot analysis of the Gardy/Smith relationship. Feel free to tell me where you think I’m right, wrong, genius, or lunatic:
Gardy is entrenched in “the Twins way.” He seemingly is respected by a former GM (Ryan) and former manager (Kelly), who in turn still have the respect of the Pohlads. Gardy is also headstrong and fiercely loyal to the point of ignoring faults when he thinks someone does something “the right way” (i.e., when someone is a gamer who he battled his tail off).
Smith, while respected by the Pohlads and Ryan, came into the GM role mainly from an administrator role, with knowledge of baseball rules, a stickler for details and finances (http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/11700821.html).
The Smith qualities, as described above, make him decidedly NOT a gamer who battles his tail off in Gardy’s eyes. Smith did not toil in the minors and he was not an all-glove no-bat utility player. He wasn’t even a scout like Terry Ryan was before becoming GM. Smith was merely a pencil pusher - to Gardy.
Smith comes in, sits down with Gardy, and both men being professionals, try to discuss what can be done. So prior to 2008, Smith - hearing the need for a right-handed bat - goes out and makes a trade for Delmon Young, who by all accounts was a ridiculously talented, if moody, right-handed bat…and who happened to be 22 years old. He also gets Brendan Harris, necessary because along with getting rid of Gardy non-gamer agitator Matt Garza, he traded our starting shortstop, Jason Bartlett. Bartlett, of course, was a former non-gamer who became a gamer to Gardy, due in no small part to Gardy sending messages to him about taking control of the infield and working on things in the minors until he could do it. And Bartlett was just starting to come on.
So, Bartlett gone, Gardy sees Harris as a weak replacement. And while Harris is no superstar, he deserved better than the doghouse Gardy put him in. Also, Young is absolutely NOT a gamer, as he is stubborn himself (a gamer says “yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir”), and also quickly goes in the doghouse.
Fast forward to last winter. I imagine conversations like this,
Gardy: That trade with Tampa sucked.
Smith: It hasn’t really panned out yet. But Young is still a young man. Give him a chance.
Gardy: I gave him a chance. He only hit 10 home runs. And he’s 23 already. Joe Mauer hit 12 home runs when he was 23.
Smith: What do you need in 2009?
Gardy: No Delmon. I just told the Fargo Picayune-Farm Times that my starting outfield is Span, Gomez, and Cuddyer.
Smith: Well, Delmon isn’t going anywhere, so you’ll have to figure out how to juggle 5 outfielders.
Gardy: Fine. Delmon and that crazy kid Gomez can share 40 ABs. I gotta have Punto.
Smith: His agent is asking 4 mil per for 2 years.
Gardy: Sign that man!
Smith: I will do this to show you I respect your knowledge of baseball.
Gardy: You are not a gamer. Say it.
Smith: Fine. I’m not a gamer.
Gardy: Say yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir.
Smith: No. And remember this. I will not hang for Nick Punto’s contract. You will defend this. Not me.
Gardy: Easily done. I will tell everyone that 20 teams would have signed him if we didn’t.
Smith: Fine. What else do you need.
Gardy: Tolbert and Buscher. They are gamers.
Smith: You can have Buscher because Crede’s back is a risk. You can’t have Tolbert until Casilla falls on his face.
Gardy: You are not a gamer.
Smith: Fine. When it comes to September and you need players because Crede’s back goes kerflooey and some unforeseen L5 vertebrae issue gets one of our key players, you can have Punto, Tolbert, and Buscher. I know the rules and how to manipulate the roster to get more guys there, but you will sink or swim with those guys. Because that is who you want.
Gardy: I will tell reporters you are squelching my requests.
Smith: Fine. I will fire you in the offseason unless your gamers make the playoffs.
And lo, it was written.
So here we are. I think we are just getting the sniffing end of a good old-fashioned “my hoo-ha is bigger than your hoo-ha” pi$$ing match. Gardy, as he is wont to do, throws little nuggets to the media, throwing up his hands because he’s not getting any help from the GM above.
So, let me have it. Am I crazy or what? Crazy like a fox, me boy!
Wow. The longest blog ever by Scottz. But some valid points.
Do they not have planes from Europe to Minnesota? Seriously, is there a rule that you can’t come back to MLB once you have played/started the World Games?
Surely not. Does anyone know for sure?
Detoilette’s Washburn only able to complete 1 inning tonight. He has the sore knee.
Could you imagine if the Twins had picked him up at the deadline? *urk*
Scottz, hilarious dialogue there. A couple thoughts though, I’ve always defended Gardy, thought he was a great manager, etc. I’ve been questioning that a lot more this year with a lot of his moves. With that said, I think it would’ve been EXTREMELY difficult to manage this team, trying to find playing time for all of the mediocre players.
Gardy might be a stubborn SOB, but I still think Bill Smith is in WAY over his head. The guy is a frickin’ bean counter, plain and simple. I would rather have a guy like Terry Ryan making the personnel decisions and have someone like Smith on the back side to help manage the money. At least Terry Ryan is a true “baseball guy” who knows how to evaluate players. I’d still rather see a change in the front office than a change in the dugout.
Well done Mr. scottz.
Smith’s comments and decision making are mind boggling.
He trades the future for the present this year, then refuses to call up Valencia or Hughes?
It is somewhat inconsistent.
Either it is money, or he doesn’t think they are ML ready. If that is the case, he better go get a 3B in the offseason.
“And while Harris is no superstar, he deserved better than the doghouse Gardy put him in.”
harris is on track to finish the season around the 502 plate appearances necessary to qualify for a batting title. not exactly siberia as far as doghouses go …
This is a bit off the topics but wanted to throw it out there. Does anyone else think that our young, promising pitchers need to mix in more curves/sliders? It was ridiculous how predictable Baker’s pitch sequence was last night. The same seems true for each on the staff when it’s his turn. Not one of them has a fastball that can consistently get past a hitter, yet there’s a crazy reliance on fastball,changeup. That’s fine to a point - but you’ve got to show hitters a different movement on the ball more often than they do. Is it Anderson? Gardy? I think they all have a breaking ball that’s at least adequate. Watching last night drove me nuts.
B-Good,
I agree, it would have been difficult to manage this team. I’m not throwing all the blame on Gardy, but I don’t think it is anywhere near all on Smith either. I think Gardy pushed hard for Punto, and Smith gave it to him. And bean counter or not, when the players said “we need more people”, and the manager said he “couldn’t control what the players said”, Smith went out and acquired Cabrera, Rauch, and Mahay. They aren’t Mays, Koufax and Gibson, but they absolutely were upgrades. Now, the manager is asking for more, and I’m suggesting the GM is saying “I’ve given you what you said you needed to compete - so compete.” Not the best approach, but totally defensible from a bean counter’s approach. Spending some money now, but at the same time saving some money in the future by not starting the service time clock for Valencia and Peterson.
I don’t think Smith is doing the evaluating of players, I think he is doing the decision making, relying on input from Radcliff, the scouting reports, Gardenhire, and probably Ryan, Kelly, and whoever else the Pohlads ask him to listen to.
mww,
I think the Valencia refusal is money. I think the Hughes “refusal” has something to do with already accepting/allowing Hughes to go play with Australia in this tourney, and not wanting to burn a bridge by pulling him back. Conjecture, obviously, but that’s my guess.
mickey,
The only way Harris gets to 502 plate appearances is if he averages 4.88 plate appearances per game for the last 17 games of the season. Given his typical 7th spot in the batting order, and the fact that he isn’t playing more than once every other (or every third) game at this point, he’s not getting to 502. With Tampa in 2007, he had 563 PA’s (ABs + BB) and hit .286 with 12 HR. In 2008 he had 473 PA’s and hit .265 with 7 HR. This year he has 419 PA’s, and is hitting .263 with 6 HR. I’d argue he’s better when he plays every day.
Respectfully,
scottz
mickey,
Also, the “doghouse” thing is a bit of me reading between the lines, which of course, could be wrong. But Harris seems to get the shorter end of Gardy compliments, and the longer end of Gardy jabs. Earlier this year, Harris was on a good streak, and his (Harris’) quote in the paper was “I know I have to hit or I’m sitting on the bench.” That’s the kind of quote that I’m using in my “Harris in the doghouse” angle.
scottz
hi scottz,
i interpret “I know I have to hit or I’m sitting on the bench” to mean that harris realizes he’s not a great fielder and if he doesn’t hit he has relatively little value.
hey mick,
i could see how you would interpret it that way. i wouldn’t, but i could see how someone would. it’s hard to get the true flavor of someone’s words in print and out of context of the rest of the conversation, so there’s lots of room for interpretation.
Punto is clearly a better fielder than Harris at 2B and 3B. but at SS, the position where Gardy wanted Punto to be his everyday guy in the offseason, i don’t think you can say he is a much better fielder than Harris. Better, but better enough to account for the difference at the plate (and in the bank account)?
fielding % 2007, 2008, 2009
Punto - .974, .973, .973
Harris - .968, .976, .973
Cabrera - .983, .978, .966
league avg - .970, .971, .972
RF/9 2007, 2008, 2009
RF/9 = 9 * (putouts+assists)/Innings
Punto - 4.87, 4.92, 4.64
Harris - 3.98, 4.71, 4.27
Cabrera - 4.42, 4.62, 4.37
league avg - 4.47, 4.39, 4.35
% of balls fielded which resulted in an out
Punto - 88, 89, 90
Harris - 82, 87, 89
Cabrera - 89, 88, 86
since Harris has been with the Twins, it just doesn’t look that dramatic of a difference to me. certainly I don’t think it is bad enough for Harris to make a statement where, as you interpret, he realizes that if he doesn’t hit he has relatively little value.
respectfully,
scottz
My nomination for PofD:
mike wants wins (September 17th, 2009 at 4:09 pm) says, “The sooner he learns … the easier it will be for him to learn”.
