Thursday (Great Debates) edition: Wha’ Happened?
Posted on July 3rd, 2008 – 9:23 AMBy Michael Rand
It’s only been a few games, and things can certainly change, but you have to be a fool not to like some of the things that Denard Span brings to the Twins, both on offense and defense. He redefines the batting order, giving them three speed guys in a row, and he probably saved two runs last night yesterday by cutting balls off in the gap. So the question is: if he keeps playing like this, and the Twins keep winning, what happens when Michael Cuddyer comes back from his injury? Cuddyer, of course, is considered an integral piece to the team, and rightfully so. He was a huge RBI man two seasons ago during Minnesota’s big surge, and he was rewarded with a big contract this past offseason. That said, the Twins will have a glut of outfielders when he returns, and it would be awfully hard to justify sending Span down if he continues to show he’s ready to play at this level.
So, in this hypothetical world in which Span continues to shine, what do the Twins do? Keep Span up and send someone else down, then try to work him into the mix as much as possible (spelling Gomez, Young and Cuddyer, who can all certainly use days off)? Send Span down? (The Twins started this hot streak with Cuddyer in the lineup, remember.) Break up the logjam by trying to trade one of the other outfielders for another piece and keep sending Span out there virtually every night? (Remember, Jason Kubel and Craig Monroe are also in the mix out there if need be). What do you do?
Also, a bonus great debate from a late e-mail from Diddy: “Is it just me or does Norm Coleman look like Val Kilmer when he smiles?”
Fasola-link! DJ studies.
19 Responses to "Thursday (Great Debates) edition: Wha’ Happened?"
I’m not a huge fan of either one of ‘em, but Span seems like a decent fourth outfielder. I guess.
First- The game yesterday was during the day, so it couldn’t have been a last night.
Second- That contract Cuddyer got was ridiculous to start with. At his best he is a slightly above average hitter with an above average arm. I’d trade him if you could get anything for him. Otherwise I think the Twins are stuck sending down Span and waiting until call ups.
You could argue that Span is more helpful to the Twins than Gomez right now, but since Rand likes Gomez because he smiles a lot and says things like, “Zoom, Zoom” he won’t get sent down.
Probably worth noting how we wouldn’t have this quandary if we don’t make the Delmon Young trade that everyone was happy with this spring. Also worth noting how much better the rotation would be with Garza in it.
(/buzzkill)
No Rays trade = 2009 consisting of:
Baker
Slowey
Garza
Blackburn/Perkins
Liriano
Span, Gomez, Cuddyer in OF
(/buzzmurder)
Well the ARod/Madonna scandal has another twist involving a musician. (Sorry AZ for scooping your territory)
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07032008/news/regionalnews/a_rod_wife_goes_down_swinging_118332.htm
Trade Monroe and use Span to give the other guys days off, it seems like the other outfielders are more valuable to the team then Monroe.
I think that Craig Monroe becomes the odd one out. He’s a righty bat who isn’t hitting left-handers well. He’s an OK outfielder, but the other five are better (Kubel, Young, Gomez, Cuddyer, and Span). He just doesn’t bring enough to justify keeping him around. I think Span slots into his DH/sub outfielder/PH role, at least for the time being.
In the long term, either Cuddyer or Young are probably the odd ones out, more than likely Cuddyer.
I never liked the trade, but I’ve found it helps to constantly repeat to yourself, “Delmon’s two years younger, pitchers get injured.” Over and over. Make it a mantra.
Monroe is the only potential power bat that the Twins have on their bench. He is a completely different player than Span. Plus I don’t see a whole lot of teams knocking down the Twins door to get Monroe.
Is there any chance that the Twins would send Gomez down just until he learns plate discipline and how to hit?
It seems to me that the Twins are getting lucky in that the trade value for Kubel, Span, and even Monroe is at its peak. A team that is desperate for home runs cannot trade Kubel. And as long as they are in the pennant hunt they need the right-handed power threat that Monroe provides. Cuddyer won’t be traded, the Twins don’t make a habit of trading their “team leaders”. Bill Smith won’t concede defeat on Young this quickly, so he won’t be traded either.
They don’t need both Span and Pridie. If they can get any value for Span, trade him ASAP while his value is high. Then hope Pridie can become the 4th outfielder of the future.
Is Rand going to ditch out on Movie Quotes again this week?
I guess there is only so many Wes Anderson movies you can quote before you go through them all.
Here’s what we thought about the trade when it first came up.
Movie quotes discussion in progress here.
It’s nice to realize we actually have too many options in the outfield. The ’98 Twins regulars, including the decent Matt Lawton: Marty Cordova (.710 OPS), Otis Nixon (.705 OPS) and the estimable Alex Ochoa (.641 OPS). Even our worst current outfielder would have been one of our best a decade ago.
Here’s to the present.
/Chugs champagne under desk
the estimable Alex Ochoa
That’s funny, right there.
Who cares what happens, as long as Cuddysey does some cute magic tricks and stays a good clubhouse guy.
I can’t believe MR called Jason Kubel a better outfielder than Monroe… To illustrate Kubel’s outfield range, please place one (1) moderately sized infielder’s glove, already opened, in his outfield position.
Plus, NEVER trade a guy with as great a middle name as Keystone!
Any chance of moving Cuddyer back to 3B?
can’t they start playing with slow pitch softball rules and put 4 in the outfield?
