Yes, the Twins need Casey Blake
Posted on December 3rd, 2008 – 10:13 AMBy Howard
Just wanted to weigh in on the pursuit of Casey Blake. I think it’s a good idea, although I’d be intrigued by the prospect of trying to keep Joe Crede healthy enough to play 120 games in 2009 with the prospect of him playing third base in the new ballpark (on grass) in 2010. I’m amused by the conflict that exists among many Twins fans: The team doesn’t go after free agents and then, when it does, management is pursuing the wrong guys. Do something, but NOT THAT!
If Casey Blake had come to Minnesota last season, taken over third base and hit 10 home runs in 53 games, we would have hailed the acquisition as a success and, quite possibly, the reason for the Twins winning the AL Central. Keep in mind that Blake at third would have allowed Brendan Harris to play more shortstop, which seems to be his best position (despite limited range) and spared us some of Nick Punto’s painful late-season at-bats. The latter move would have been an acceptable offense-for-defense tradeoff, especially with Punto more available to play the late innings at short or third.
While not exactly Corey Koskie, Blake would have been a slight defensive upgrade over Harris at third and a definite improvement over Brian Buscher. Those of you holding out for a Buscher/Harris tandem at third base in 2009 need to watch enough replays from last year to know that Buscher is a frightening full-season option, especially in a traditional platoon with the left-handed bat getting most of the playing time.
Also, while we tend to think of Buscher as a hitter, he had 6 extra-base hits in 137 plate appearances after July 26 (when Blake went to the Dodgers); Blake had 23 in 233.
To put Blake in the same class as the Hernandez/Everett/Batista/Ortiz signings of recent years is silly. He would be an improvement for a team that needs to get better.
80 Responses to "Yes, the Twins need Casey Blake"
I guess I am first comment–like the old BatGirl days…
I would agree that Casey Blake is an improvement over LNP–except for the fact that according to Twinsbaseball.com Twins are gonna have to offer the 35 year old Blake a 3 year contract!!!!!!!!! That makes absolutely zero sense. If its a one-year deal–OK. But no not a 3 year deal to a 35 year old.
Better to trade for Kousmanoff or somebody…
DAM
Need is probably a bit too strong.
Problem #1: Yes, Blake would likely be better both offensively and defensively than Buscher and Harris next year. It is also likely that his production will drop in years 2 and 3 of a contract to a level bellow a Harris.
Problem #2: There are better options out there via trades (Glaus, Beltre, Rolan - and I would dare to probably add Mora and Lowell in that list before Blake)
Problem #3: Trade for 3B is probably the better way to go, unless there is another way to unload Buscher from the system. With a free agent signee for 2-3 years, there is no place for Buscher in the 25 man roster (he has no versatility) and he will be blocking younger players (Tolleson, Tolbert, Hughes, take your pick) in AAA. He needs to go.
I would not put it in the same class as the Batista/Ortiz signings but I would put it in the exact class with the Rondell White signing (or even the Mike Lamb signing); and they were both at least 3 years younger than Blake…
well put. No more wild brian buscher throws to the general area of first base, please.
Why is Crede not a more attractive option. His back problems could loom large, but we should be able to get him at a discount for that reason and his bat and defense are far better than Blake or Kouz. I’ll take Blake, but I would have preffered Crede or a more bold move of Beltre.
“The team doesn’t go after free agents and then, when it does, management is pursuing the wrong guys. Do something, but NOT THAT!”
It’s because they ARE pursuing the wrong guys. Namely, aging veterans in the twilight of their careers usually signed because of their “intangibles”. Look at their track record. Even if Blake is better than what they usually pursue, this signing would still fit the mold of all the questionable moves the Twins have made over the years. Obviously, Blake isn’t Tony Batista. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s a 35 year old looking for multiple years who isn’t much of an upgrade over what we already have. He’s mediocre and isn’t worth the money he’s commanding.
Is Terry Tiffee available?
I too am amused. In the same podcast (hosted by Seth) Twins Geek thought it was a waste of money to sign Blake and he said his biggest concern is that the Twins aren’t going to spend their money this offseason. I’m sorry, John, but there aren’t a lot of options, so it’s a bit unfair to try to have it both ways.
Trade thrylos98 and add in the Sinker for good measure.
I guess I might be in the minority when I say this, but Brains Buscher has zero trade value.
The way that Free Agency and Contracts are set up in MLB it almost always will benefit the player over the team. There is always going to be a tradeoff when signing free agents, whether it be length of contract, dollar, or clauses in the contract. This is the exact reason that the Twins, by and large, stay away from free agency. In fact the the contracts that the Twins have signed recently are the kinds of contracts that are most benefital to the team, minimal years and relatively small dollar amounts.
Signing Blake would be a departure for the Twins in that they would have to guarantee more than two years and money coming close to 8-10 mil per.
Blake is not a bad idea,but it can’t be the only thing that is accomplishd this off season.I realize he is probably demanding a three year deal and I would be skeptical on that.Maybe a third year option.The thing that obviously appeals to the Twins is that he is in their price range.
The trade options listed above of Glaus,Beltre,Rolen(who hasn’t been productive in several years),Mora or Lowell are fantacy for that reason,price tag.If the Twins want to address several needs Blake would probably be more cost effective.The fact that Blake seems to be the guy the Twins have zeroed in on would support this.
I share Howards intrigue in Crede,and because of his injuries he could be a cheaper option than even Blake.He probably wouldn’t mind sticking it to the Sox either.But the idea I think is to realize that this team needs more than just a thirdbaseman.A middle infielder and relief help also needs to be addressed.
It’s because they ARE pursuing the wrong guys.
Wasn’t the FO soundly ripped last season around here when the Dodgers managed to “steal” Casey Blake away from the Twins?
I’m with Howard. At this point, it doesn’t matter with some people who the Twins would sign, as it would always be a mistake. Either they’d have overpaid from some random really good player, or they would’ve signed some washed up nobody (neither of which is Blake)
Blake is neither cheap, nor washed up. He’s exactly the kind of signing people have been begging this team to go after for years.
He fills an immediate need with proven numbers, and the only reason he wasn’t a Twin in 2008 was because the Indians I believe were still in the playoff mix at the trade deadline (so good luck getting either team to agree to deal with the other)
Brain Buscher has zero trade value
not really… I think that he has some trade value to the right team. I would argue that his value (as a player under club control for 4 years with the minimum pay for 2 of them) is about the same as Brian Buchanan’s was a few years ago.
Buchanan was traded for Bartlett…
Blake is not a bad idea,but it can’t be the only thing that is accomplishd this off season.
In JoeC’s blog today, there have been a few users who have suggested that signing Blake opens up another piece to trade (Harris or Buscher)
Buscher would essentially be the odd man out (sinec Blake plays both 1st and 3rd…and we have a lefty DH in Kubel)
This leave Tolbert/Harris/Casilla as the three guys to fill the two middle infield spots, with Tolbert likely taking over Punto’s utility role.
And the Twins still look to be trying to find a replacement shortstop. Signing somebody to fill one need means they have more options to work for a trade to fill the other. Instead of having to pull a Detroit and gutting the farm to bring in help both places.
Also, I don’t care what the Twins say…they only have 4 OFs. Kubel’s the DH first and a backup OF in emergency situations only.
I don’t want to see Gomez traded. I think him 9th with Span/Casilla around is too great a combo.
Span
Casilla
Mauer
Morenau
Blake
Kubel
Young
Harris
Gomez
…just throwing that out there.
I’ll add that I can see Young this year righting the ship and eventually moving up higher. I still think somebody we’ll see Casilla moved to the 8th/9th spot (depending on Gomez) and Span/Mauer/Young/Morneau as the top of hte order.
Common talking points from some twins fans:
1. The twins never go after free agents, they always sit on their hands.
2. The twins always go after aging veterans and jerk around the young guys.
3. The twins shouldn’t go after type A free agents because they need to rely on the draft.
4. Terry Ryan put the Twins in a terrible position by not being aggressive enough in the free agent market and was too scared to make a major deal.
5. Bill Smith is an idiot, and if he would have just done nothing at all the Twins would have won the world series this year.
This leave Tolbert/Harris/Casilla as the three guys to fill the two middle infield spots, with Tolbert likely taking over Punto’s utility role.
It would probably be Tolbert/Harris/Casilla/Tolleson/Plouffe/Machado/Hughes for 3 25-man roster positions, with Harris and Casilla guaranteed positions and one of the others either the starting SS (with Harris the utility) or the utility (with Harris the SS). I just hope that Gardy does not repeat the mistake of last year starting the season with 2 utility infielders (Punto/Tolbert), which really limited the PH options off the bench.
Top Dogg sucks
First off, to dispute part of what Howard wrote, nothing, I mean, nothing, would have spared us some of Nick Punto’s late season at-bats.
If there was anything about the 2008 Twins that was abundantly clear, it was that Nick Punto was going to be in that lineup come hell or high water.
Ok, now that I have that out of my system…
Casey Blake would be an upgrade at third base, even though I do think Brendan Harris needs to be given a permanent spot in the lineup, at least to start the year. Howard’s dream of Blake at 3B, Harris at SS, with LNP as utility infielder is suspect at best, however. Why? Well, we know what Gardy’s track record has been on this thing…we have to assume that the photos Punto has in office safe are still damning enough for the manager to come up with excuses to play him everyday.
So what I’m saying is Blake would be nice, but I don’t see him as the offseason acquisition that would put an end to all of our problems (i.e. I don’t agree the Twins NEED Casey Blake).
What the Twins do need is someone that will keep LNP on the bench–if Blake happens to be that guy, then I’m all for it!
“Howard’s dream of Blake at 3B, Harris at SS, with LNP as utility infielder is suspect”
Agreed. Gardy didn’t like Harris at SS so why would he play Harris when Punto, who is the superior defender at short, hit .280.
You can knock the FO for not trying to get a better 3B than Blake, but you can’t say they should sign a better FA 3B than Blake. Blake is the best of a week crop. There just isn’t much out there.
I just jlike the idea of having Blake at third this year and have the FO go after Hardy or Escobar via the trade route. We could use Harris/Tolbert as our utility infielder and let Punto go to the highest bidder - we don’t care about him and we surely won’t miss his terrible at bats. If they could sign Blake, get a decent SS and some relief help for the middle innings, then I would consider this off season a total success. Go Twins!!!
My apologies for not reading the worthwhile posts here just yet. Just super-pressed for time — There’s a 2-week (minimum) bronchial-nasal thing afflicting everyone here in SW MN.
I’m the guy who harangued for Beltre. But he’s a less-secure — if not too expensive — choice now, due to the mystery surrounding his injury/operation thing.
Blake makes me feel secure. His work ethic and 20 HR’s/yr are precisely what the Twins need.
Get him, and then get a SS with some pop and at least average fielding. Punto gets plenty of playing time as the backup, which he will be very valuable at.
There’s your very-good-to-excellent 5-man IF.
Chicken soup still works……….
Good to hear from you all. Happy Everything this season to you, Howard.
And don’t forget the annual John Lennon Night at First Ave next Monday. Beatles, Beatles, Beatles!
Last year buscher had a RBI every 4.6 at bats compared to Blakes 6.61… so to say Blake would have won us the division last year isn’t necessarily true.
Agreed 100% Howard. Jason, the only way we won’t see Punto in the starting line-up next season is if he signs elsewhere. Even IF the FO upgrades both 3rd and SS, Gardy will still be sticking his buddy in there at both spots, frequently, saying that the superior players need a day off; which Gardy will deem that they need frequently.
saam, you must also be enamored with Punto’s mighty 28 rbi’s last year; or all the times he got on base only to be thrown out on stupid base-running errors; or the fielding gaffes he made while trying to hot dog a routine ground ball out or DP….
Getting Blake would be good because:
1-He fills the 3b spot
2-He is productive
3-He is verstile
4-It lets the farm system develope another 3b
5-It makes others available for trade(Harris,Buscher)
6-Our OF surplus can be traded for relief help
7-WE DON”T HAVE TO GIVE ANYBODY UP FOR HIM!
“Do something, but NOT THAT!”
Right you are. If the Twins pursued Crede, as some Blake bashers are clamoring for the FO to do, there would be an equal number of outraged posters screaming that the Twins’ were wrongly going after an injury-prone player.
Getting Blake would be good because:
1-He fills the 3b spot
2-He is productive
3-He is verstile
4-It lets the farm system develope another 3b
5-It makes others available for trade(Harris,Buscher)
6-Our OF surplus can be traded for relief help
7-it leaves our starting staff intact
8-WE DON”T HAVE TO GIVE ANYBODY UP FOR HIM!
Punto will have his head screwed on right this year. He was on a mission to prove himself last year, and got overzealous too much.
He had a fair-to-good year last year. His manhood is restored. He can now just play as a veteran MLB utility infielder who definitely will help his team into the post-season.
[…] A Fan’s View – […]
“Problem #2: There are better options out there via trades (Glaus, Beltre, Rolan - and I would dare to probably add Mora and Lowell in that list before Blake)”
All of these guys would also likely see a production drop in the next 2-3 years (most of those guys have started to break down physically or have had injury problems - Blake has been very durable the last 5 years) plus would cost us a couple of prospects, so why not sign Blake and not trade away any of our prospects.
Matt,
the kicker is that all of those guys have contracts that end in 2009 so you don’t have to worry about long term production drop, plus you will get 1 or 2 1st round draft picks once they leave after 2009.
My point to express it a bit differently is that the Twins will not have a long term third baseman next year. If you want a short term solution, why not get the best you can get, especially one that will involve freeing up some spots in a very crowded 25 man roster and allow you some flexibility…
“saam, you must also be enamored with Punto’s mighty 28 rbi’s last year; or all the times he got on base only to be thrown out on stupid base-running errors; or the fielding gaffes he made while trying to hot dog a routine ground ball out or DP….”
LOL. When did I say I was enamored with Punto? My point was that Howard’s suggestion that having Blake at 3b would have meant more games at short for Harris was not correct. Gardy doesn’t think Harris can play short, so why would he play him as long as Little Buddy was around and hitting for a contract?
Crede is an excellent option at 3rd for the Twins! Not only does he have a great upside for little cost, but he was loved in Chicago, and their fans would be pissed to see him in a Twins uniform. Yes, I know the Twins play on artificial turf, and he has a bad back, but I feel that this risk is worth it. He has a much better upside than Tony Batista, Ruben Sierra, Craig Monroe or Rondell White. If the Twins took this risk and it worked out with 20 homers, for example, then all of the risks they took in the past would be worth it. But, if the Twins discontinue their practice of signing risky FAs, then all of the chances they took in the past would be nothing. For example, I would have no problem if the Twins went through 10 horrible acquisitions over the years to eventually find a Carlos Quentin type player, and that’s exactly what Kenny Williams did last offseason, he took a chance and it paid off. Now it’s time for the Twins to do that with a former White Sox player, just so that it will blow up in the Sox’s face!
Even IF the FO upgrades both 3rd and SS, Gardy will still be sticking his buddy in there at both spots.
That is 100% bull. If the FO went out and aquired a guy like Hardy or Cabrera to play SS and Gardy still went to Punto, he wouldn’t have his job by the end of ‘08.
Gotta love how stupid some people are about this Punto/Gardy thing. I mean…to the point of saying things like that quote above.
Blake may be a better alternative at 3B for this NEXT season, but when you are the Twins, you should be concerned with money and how much this will cost, Blake is seeking 3 years and over $20M per… all ability and versatility aside, how much is too much?
personally, 3 years is too long and $20M is too much… 2 yrs $10M is a little easier to take with his age…
not $20M “per”, but total… typo.
That’s only 6.6 million per year (which would actually I think put him over Mauer as the second most expensive Twin)
T - We need to extend and inhance both Mauer and Mourneau anyway.
Actually Mauer is set to make $10.5 this year, Morneau $14M and Cuddyer $8.5…
it’s too bad we couldn’t give him $8M this year, $5 the next and $2M.. u know, based on his production dropping for a 36, 37, 38 yr old..
Toby Keith - “I’m not as good as I once was”
Grudzielanek would probably sign for less than $4 million.
His previous contract was 1 year (2007)@ $4million + 1 year player option.
If the Twins offered the same, IMO he’d sign.
$2.5 million cheaper, shorter term, better hitter against LHP’s than Blake.
Sorry, Morneau will make $10.6M this year… $14M in 2010
Dont we need money to extend Mauer’s contract and make sure we can pay some of our pitchers in a couple years? I just dont like OVERpaying for mediocre talent… that’s all.
Mediocre batting champ X2.
I meant Blake is the mediocre talent… we would be overpaying him, leaving less money to extend Mauer’s contract and pay our pitchers…
The team doesn’t go after free agents and then, when it does, management is pursuing the wrong guys. Do something, but NOT THAT!
——————————–
well let’s see why they’d feel that way:
2006
Rondell White
Tony Batista
Ruben Sierra
Dennys Reyes
2007
Jeff Cirillo
Ramon Ortiz
Sidney Ponson
Matt LeCroy
2008
Mike Lamb
Adam Everett
Craig Monroe (oops, trade - still fun)
Livan Hernandez
so we’re working off a 3-year track record of 1.5 (1 for Reyes, .5 for Livan) out of 11 FA signings working out. and you wonder why the fan base is skeptical about buying high on a mediocre 35-year-old wanting 3 years?
“My point was that Howard’s suggestion that having Blake at 3b would have meant more games at short for Harris was not correct. Gardy doesn’t think Harris can play short, so why would he play him as long as Little Buddy was around and hitting for a contract?”
Gotcha. Agreed.
T, when others point out your penchant for putting down the opinions and ideas of those who do not agree with you, you always claim that you are not making personal attacks. “Gotta love how stupid some people are about this Punto/Gardy thing….” That’s a personal attack no matter how you care to spin it.
IMO it would be better to trade for help than to overpay a FA like Blake.
jhawk90 - Blake is head and shoulders above anyone on that list - except maybe Reyes at his position and how he is used.
jhawk90 just gave us Exhibit A as to why Ron Gardenhire is one of the best managers in baseball…that or our farm system is THE best in baseball.
Look at those free agent flops…but I think his point is, which I agree with 100 percent, don’t expect to see big names being brought in by the Twins during the offseason. Casey Blake would be as big as it gets, for sure.
Just a quick look at this years payroll, which will almost be the same as last years considering any real additions to the 25 man roster will be minor leaguers making league minimum… Nathan, Morneau, Mauer, Cuddyer will combine to make $39.1M, add in what we still owe Mike Lamb ($3.1M) and that’s $42.2M, which is 75% of our payroll (2008)… for the rest of the players, I’ve added a slight bit or rounded up for increases in pay and/or bonuses that are usually pro-rated… Kubel, Crain, Guerrier, Redmond, Young, Humber, Perkins, Tolbert, Harris, Baker, Liriano, Gomez, Slowey, Breslow, Blackburn, Buscher, Casilla, Mijares, and Span would all combine to make roughly $11.24M, which also leaves 3 spots on the roster, so u could round up to $12M to make it easier. $12M + $42.2M = $54.2M for 2009
Opening Day 2008 Payroll was $56.9M
I guess the money diff from year to year would be no Livan, no Reyes, no Everett and no Punto, along with the increases to Mauer, Morneau, & Cuddyer paychecks…
“Opening Day 2008 Payroll was $56.9M”
Which was lower than both 2007 (payroll: $71.4M) and 2006 ($63.4M). In fact, 2008 payroll was only $1M more than payroll in 2003. (Source: Cot’s).
Since the Twins have publicly stated many times that payroll will be in the 50-55% of revenue range…and since revenue hasn’t gone DOWN since 2003…we are left to conclude the Twins made a bundle last year, and have significant room to expand payroll this year.
There’s no financial reason the Twins shouldn’t be major players this off-season in the free agent market.
They have the money. IMO it’s reasonable to assume they could comfortably add $15M per year, and likely could add $20M per year, and not lose money.
I’m not a big fan of signing Blake (I’d rather see them sign Furcal, a reliever, and a starter, and use a current starter as the basis of a trade for a third baseman), but money’s not an issue, either now or in the future where the new stadium will significantly increase revenue.
“Keep in mind that Blake at third would have allowed Brendan Harris to play more shortstop, which seems to be his best position (despite limited range) and spared us some of Nick Punto’s painful late-season at-bats.”
Or, perhaps it could have spared us some of Justin Morneau’s painful late-season at-bats.
Or, perhaps it could have spared us some of Alexi Casilla’s painful late-season at-bats.
Or, perhaps it could have spared us some of Brian Buscher’s painful late-season at-bats.
Look - I hate Nick Punto more than most. But the fact is, Punto played well last year. Even as his slugging percentage dipped in September, he still got on base at nearly a 35% clip, and played solid defense. He brought more to the table than Casilla or Buscher in the final month of the season. Nick Punto actually played well enough last season that I wonder if 2007 wasn’t the odd year as opposed to 2006.
So to all the Punto bashers - take a step back. Realize that Gardy actually made the right call in playing him last year. If you want to be upset at Harris not getting more playing time, blame Casilla and Buscher - not Punto.
It really is pretty amusing. According to their “fans”, the Twins are both too “cheap” and they “pay too much” for players. And preferring a trade over a FA signing because it doesn’t cost as much is being short sighted. Players given up in trade ARE a form of “payment”.
Essentially, what people around here want are quality players in return for unpopular cast-offs that fans don’t like. Good luck with that one, Bill Smith.
Blake’s contract may be 3 years, but it won’t have a no-trade clause. I think you assume he’ll be your 3B for 2 seasons anyway and then he’s either a decent option at DH or off the bench or you trade him.
Crede’s health is a huge concern, especially in this last year on cement. He’d never get through the season healthy and I would doubt he’s even taking offers from teams that don’t play on grass.
You do like Little Nickey Punto, Pete D! You do!
Crede’s health is a concern, but he needs to just man up and play a year at the dome. Honestly, why doesn’t anyone even consider the idea of Joe Crede as a Twin? He can make it through one year at the dome. His downfalls are only his health and his agent, Scott Boras. IF he can stay healthy, he has a lot of potential, and would give this lineup everything it needs!
And preferring a trade over a FA signing because it doesn’t cost as much is being short sighted
Cost is relative. Trade is barter. You give away things you have in excess and get things you need. I would argue that the Twins will not miss Cuddyer/Perkins/Buscher/prospects next year, if they get a plus third baseman. Also, the roster at this point has one opening. They need 3 people. The math does not add up without a trade
I didnt even think about Boras being Crede’s agent. If that’s the case, you KNOW he’s going to be overpriced.
He couldn’t even stay healthy playing on grass… but people really want to pin your season’s hope on him staying healthy on cement?
I admit that if you could get him at a reasonable price, he’d be an interesting addition (and better than doing nothing at all at 3B)… but that assumes he’d be healthy and reasonably priced and I don’t think either are givens.
Harris does not need to be shortstop. If a guy is a defensive liability at third base, he is not an option at short.
Wow Howard, good post! I’d love to see Blake at 3b in ‘09.
Hey, why does everyone forget Brett Boone? That was in 05′, and I think we should count that guy too, if we’re gonna play this game! Anybody else think of some more FA signings of former “decent to good” players we brought in about 5 years too late?
we “try” to forget Brett Boone, and all the other mistaken signings that have been made.
I still think they should move Casilla back to short, put Tolbert at 2B with Harris on the bench that can play both. They wont sign Crede, Renteria, or Furcal…so just wash those thoughts away now.
Brando,
Forgetting about Bret Boone is best for everyone’s mental health.
After awhile I think Casey’s agent will realize 3 years, 20 mill is asking too much. The Dodgers CAN pay that, but will they? They are going to try and keep guys like Lowe and Manny (they’d be stupid not to try) and they’d be hard pressed to save a guy like Blake for the long haul. On our end, we really only want to give him 2 and an option for 3 (maybe if the player reaches certain milestones, ie 20 + HR’s and/or 500+ at bats averaged over the first 2 years or something). So I’d think the offer might come down a bit (maybe 3 years at 18 mill total or 2 years at 13 mill with option for 3 with milestones met)
One thing I am confused about is the clammering for escobar from the braves. He had a breakout season when he came in the league and battled .326, but has since dropped off to .288 (which is still solid) with respectable 10, 60 Hr/RBI totals. He’s got a very solid .974 FP and a .834 ZR (which is amazing). Problem is, we’d have to give up quite a bit ie Young (who I still believe is going to give a team .300 25-30, 80-100 with some improvement in the Def which is *cough* what Hunter is doing and is getting 18 mill a year for) and someone else for a guy that puts up similar numbers to what Harris did for TB in 2007. Yes, Harris has more limited range (ZR of .764) which is much lower than Escobar but still solid and we wouldn’t have to give up ANYONE for him.
If we make a run at an SS, we go after Hardy, no one else. The guy is the only one really worth going after and he’s a great hitter and a solid glove. If Milwaukee won’t listen to a Perkins offer laden with prospects and maybe Humber/Mulvey/Bonser/etc I am sorry but they are being way too unreasonable. Yes, Hardy is a stud, but they can replace him; their pitching on the other hand is going down the tubes and they are limited in the prospect area. I am pretty sure no other teams have inquired with a better package. Not to mention the guy will be expensive soon whereas the guys we give them won’t be for awhile.
Also, just ranting here but anyone who wants to trade Blackburn and we aren’t getting a stud back for him is a moron. I’ve said it a billion times before - the guy is a gamer and deserves respect.
I don’t understand how anyone can defend Nick Punto. There’s more to baseball than a batting average and being able to dive for every ground ball. How about situational hitting? Hitting fly balls to drive in runs? Fielding ground balls in front of your body and not off to the side? Not sliding into first base? Extra base hits? Gap power? Hopefully I never have to discuss this again, and some team out there will make the mistake and sign him. There is a 0% chance he succeeds anywhere he goes because his ceiling is lower than the 13 1/2th floor. If someone wants him based on his stellar defense, go for it. It’s the pro’s, you’re supposed to make plays. You’re also expected to drive in more than 58 runs in 897 plate appearances (punto’s RBI total/plate appearances last 2 years.)
Signed, A Punto Hater/Twins Fan
Jason Stark’s reporting that the Dodgers and Twins have both offered 2 years and whoever offers the 3rd year 3 will get Blake.
extra “3″ in there… sorry.
Jason Stark’s reporting that the Dodgers and Twins have both offered 2 years and whoever offers the 3rd year 3 will get Blake.
I hope it’s the Dodgers then… 3 years for a guy who is going to be 36 mid season next year is crazy. By the second year of the contract, he will likely have the skills of a platoon DH. Bad move.
That’s a personal attack no matter how you care to spin it.
Smart people can make stupid comments. I found that comment to be one of them and so I called it stupid.
You’re not a comment. You are a person.
Actually Mauer is set to make $10.5 this year, Morneau $14M and Cuddyer $8.5…
I must’ve been looking at 08 salaries.
Coudln’t agree more, Howard. The Twins have the money, to get him a trade wouldn’t be needed, and he’s an improvement over Harris/Buscher. It’s not a long-term solution for third base, but it would be a solution for at least the next couple years.
The Twins should have signed Alex Rodriguez for 3B last year!
If Blake gets 3 year from the Dodgers let him go…Cause as post above point out he would be a DH or part time OF.
Then bring Crede in for two years and work his glove and back on the turf.
Gardy can do that!
or all fails Beltre as a las pick up!
It is easy at this point no trading players until Beltre.
How can you people who call your selves twins fans want a 35 year old free agent to come here and rob the organization of moneys better spent elsewhere(like in the bullpen).
Blake is a better option that Beltre.
A more consistent player who would fit right in with the Twins. I prefer going younger and building that way, however it is the Twins money, and if they choose to give him a three year contract, I suspect they know what they are doing.
For anyone who bashes Ryan or Smith, you need to start watching some baseball. Both of these guys have done a fantastic job.
As for Tolbert, he is not a utility player. He is an everyday stud. This guy can do it at three spots in the infield. When it comes down to it, he will win the shortstop position.
Great post, Howard. I couldn’t agree more.
“How can you people who call your selves twins fans want a 35 year old free agent to come here and rob the organization of moneys better spent elsewhere(like in the bullpen).”
“studboy”-try watching some baseball and look at stats. Blake’s fielding percentages are right on track w/Beltre’s (Gold Glove winner). They apparently do make 3B who avg over 20 homers a season, as Blake does. Furthermore, the guy doesn’t play like a 35 year old going downhill and he has played in over 150 games most seasons. Furthermore, at $6 mil a year, and with the pathetic free agent list, he is by far the best option. “Rob the organization of money?” We have a lot to money to spend this year…and we also have an OF as trade bait for BP help.
Crede? I’ll take a healthy Blake over a guy who was hurt playing on grass-Blake played in more games in ‘08 than Crede did in the past two seasons. Check the stats. Blake is a great move, but some Twins “fans” just like to complain and think they know more than the FO and the scouts. I am glad to see they are going after a legit name in free agency. Let’s land him, Bill!
Interesting spin T, but if attacking the comment was your intention, you gotta work on your word choice: “Gotta love HOW STUPID SOME PEOPLE ARE about this Punto/Gardy thing….” attacks the person, not a comment.
I like how Casey Blake played against the Twins last year. I think he is a versatile player who can play many positions 3rd base, 1st base, and I think he played the outfield as well. So I would like the Twins to pick him up in FA. Also how about the idea of trading for J.J. Hardy at SS and maybe do a 3 team trade to also get a reliever. Or package a reliever in with J.J. Hardy from the Brewers. The Twins have money to spend this year and beyond. My Great Grandma will be 100 yrs old in February and she is also a very big Twins fan so I hope the Twins can make it all the way this year!! Go Twins!!
I don’t think we need Blake or Beltre or Crede or any of the other players mentioned above. The best part of being a Twins fan is two-fold. 1.) We have the best damn farm system in baseball and 2.) We win when everyone writes us off. There is no way we should have been in a one game playoff last year and if the coin had spun one more half turn, we’d have been at home and definitely won. We wasted innings on Livan and in case you guys forgot, we had a heck of a run producing offense WITHOUT power. I say let Buscher play…see how he does. Let the young guys grow in to their roles. What happened with every one of those terrible FA signings, a young player no one expected jumped in an played well (i.e. Span from last year). Let’s get some bullpen help and leave it at that.
Absolutely no trades. Keep everything we’ve got that other teams think are worth trading for. Forget Blake. Three years and age IS a problem. It’s good to see someone else mention Joe Crede for a change. I believe is by far the best (I think only) choice. Offense, defense and power. Twins have plenty of people capable of spelling him to help prevent injury. One middle reliever should be sufficient.
Blake is such a perfect fit and would be all for it.
From what I understand the Dodgers aren’t offering 3 years either. Not only that, with the Twins backing out, Blake’s chances of getting that third year have now been reduced to zero. At this point, the only thing Blake’s agent can do is go in and negotiate the best 2 year deal he can.
Blake playing for the Twins on a 2+1 deal is still very do-able and that is the one I would most like to see. I only hope Smith can pull it off.
There are a glut of closers on the market right now. Way more than teams that need them. Forget middle innings guys, they can pick up a closer and use him in the 8th inning role with the occasional save opportunity when Nathan needs a rest.
Cruz was offered arbitration and any team that signed him would lose their 1st round pick, but there are others out there.
I think that is where the Twins should be focusing the brunt of their efforts right now. The bullpen was the weakest link on this team last year and looks to be even weaker this year. Signing bullpen help would also make it less risky to trade off some of the prospects for a stud short stop.
