Baseball truths and web sites
Posted on June 4th, 2009 – 9:35 AMBy Howard
Remember, I told you a couple of days ago not to get all excited about Anthony Swarzak’s first couple of starts. I didn’t want him to prove me wrong with a blow-up like the one last night and, as I said before, I want to see another half-dozen starts before listening in on the staff meeting where the front office turns up the Clash and starts singing Should he stay or should he go. Kevin Slowey had the same kind of debut in 2007 before getting knocked around a bit.
Today’s impressive Delmon Young statistic: Batting average in the last 11 games — .098 (4 for 41). Strikeout average in the last 11 games — .500 (21 for 42 plate appearances). Strip away everything else and the most amazing part of it is that after 125 plate appearances, Delmon has a higher cruddy on-page percentage (.272) than cruddy slugging percentage (.265). That’s positively Puntonian.
I’m glad Carlos Gomez is in the lineup most every day. But, frankly, he should have shut up and taken whatever abuse Cliff Lee dished out last night after striking out on a two-strike bunt. Cleveland’s Victor Martinez deserves credit for gently moving Gomez toward the dugout after his second at-bat, and keeping a stupid situation from getting stupider. The umpires did a good job on that front, too. I hope the fact that nobody except Gomez really took this deal seriously gets him to think about how silly he looked.
No, the Twins weren’t throwing at Kelly Shoppach last night. The Cleveland catcher has managed to turn a .210 batting average into a .342 on-base percentagedespite walking only 9 times in 110 plate appearances. That’s what happens when you get hit by 11 pitches in the first one-third of the season. Twins batters have been hit 19 times in 2,087 plate appearance
While you’re killing time waiting for this afternoon’s game, here are a few Twins blogs you may not have seen to keep you entertained:
162 Reasons is a philosophical take by a Twins fan in Vermont, where even the cows are philosophical. One recent question: “What would it be like to be Scott Baker, to pitch well a good deal of the time, but not in any way always.”
Josh’s Thoughts offers up lots of detail about the Twins minor-league system, including the news that Carlos Guttierez has been promoted to Class AA New Britain. Guttierez was a closer in college and the Twins have used him as a starter this season. Josh’s incredible statistic: Guttierez had a flyout:groundout ratio of 4.48:1 in Class A ball.
And, finally, there’s Vegetarian Piranha: the Story of Nick Punto, which relates just about everything Twins to… As in… “The Twins could pay Mauer and Morneau $27 million each, and still have enough of their current payroll left to pay 22 players league minimum and Nick Punto the remaining $4 million.”
Enjoy the day.
103 Responses to "Baseball truths and web sites"
LOL Vegetarian Piranha: the Story of Nick Punto, kudos Howard for marketing this blog good stuff!!
I agree that Gomez looked silly…but by the same token, why does Cliff Lee even waste his time talking smack to Gomez? THAT is idiotic in my opinion. Lee is a Cy Young Pitcher who is bothered by a guy who hits .215 and tries to bunt on him with two strikes. Who cares!! Lee needs to realize that he is a pretty important piece to his team, and he can endanger that by ticking off someone like Gomez. Who’s to say next time Gomez doesn’t charge the mound (he’s crazy enough he just might do it). Lee runs the risk of being suspended, and there is always the potential of an injury when the benches clear. And for what? Lee needs to just leave well enough alone and not give Gomez any short of attention until Gomez turns into some sort of competant hitter.
Maybe Lee was just thanking Gomez for the two quick outs . . .
Gardy said in post-game GOGO had no idea what Lee even said…
Baseball has some silly madeup codes of conduct like not bunting on a pitcher or trying to steal a base when your up by 5 or more runs? does anyone know the exact number when you can’t steal anymore?
I don’t think he looked silly….If I’m Gomez I’m doing the same thing. It obviously bothers Lee, and when you have a guy as good as he is, why not do what you can to bother him and try and get him off his game.
Lee looked siller than Gomez in my opinion. He’s the one that said something first.
Next time Lee starts in an NL park and tries to bunt with two strikes himself, I hope the opposing pitcher treats him appropriately…
Lee was yapping at Crede too after one of his outs.
The thing I was most impressed with was when Gomez came up in his last at-bat. He stayed calm, took the first pitch, then drove the ball up the middle for a RBI. I was expecting him to swing for the moon and go down on three pitches.
Lee did such a good job fielding Casilla’s bunt too…I was really hoping that was going to be the start of the big rally to get us back in the game.
thrylos98 - unfortunately you just compared GOGO hitting to an AL pitcher who hasn’t hit regularly in years..
and your right!! 
IMO Lee (somehow) came out looking more unprofessional than Gomez there. Lee has been around the league a long time and the smirking ought to be below him. Obviously Gomez is too wet behind the ears to know any better, with that sorry bunt attempt in that count. Just pitch you a**.
I figure you don’t bunt with two strikes because of the rule that you’ll be out if you push it foul. So Gomez bunted when noone expected it - good for him. It’s not like he was trying to break up a no-hitter in the 9th inning.
It woule be interesting to see Gomez throw a punch. I wonder if it would make him fall down - like he does when he has his home run swing on.
It is time. Sit Delmon for a while. Lets say, until October.
I don’t think Gomez looked silly, either. Cliff Lee is absolutely classless. A pitcher mouthing off to a batter for bunting?! Are you kidding me?! Gomez would have looked silly if he would’ve started it or done something physical, but he didn’t. Lee should’ve been scolded on the field by his manager for that high-school ball behavior.
I’d rather see Gomez give Lee a flying kick to the head. I agree that I think Lee looked much sillier, what kind of dirtbag talks crap to someone that probably doesn’t even fully understand what he is saying.
This is no time to blame Gardy or the coaches. All blame for should go toward GM Billy Smith. He failed this organization in the off season. I can forgive the Young trade – bad trades happen. Young can sit and hopefully learn the rest of the year. But not getting a solid relief pitcher in the off-season, when it was widely known we needed one, was inexcusable. Start doing your job Billy.
I wonder if Gomez would sniff his hand before throwing a punch at Cliff Lee…??
I say keep bunting. Nothing else was working and Lee wound up butchering that easy bunt play from Casilla. I hope the next time the Twins face Lee they bunt the hell out of the ball.
Morneau should have tried to bunt down the third base line, he might have had a double.
Lee’s an ass. Period. Like Padilla at Texas (for now… he’s been placed on waivers), he’s just lucky he’s pitching in the AL where he doesn’t have to hit. He’d need full body armour when he went to the plate.
Martinez does deserve credit for calming the situation down. That said, he had his own self-interests at heart. If things had escalated, he knew it was his butt that was likely to to get knocked down in retaliation.
Benny W-
I was thinking the same thing with the exagerated shift on Morneau, plus we had Mauer on second, he may have gotten to third.
Mauer on first I mean
“Obviously Gomez is too wet behind the ears to know any better”
Sadly, he should know better by now. This was far from the first time that Gomez has stupidly bunted himself out with two strikes.
Of course, there was no reason for Lee to start anything there - he was winning and rubbing it in just makes him look like a jerk. But I was hoping for a brawl. I like a good, old-fashioned, dugout-clearing baseball slugfest. Sadly, even after the Twins’ pitchers plunked three Cleveland hitters in the next two innings, no fight ensued.
I was actually PROUD of Gogomez. Then like someone else said, next AB he gets a hit! I hope he starts hitting for average soon. power in 2-3 years. lee can su*k it.
“Puntonian” is a great term! I plan on using that in day-to-day conversation from now.
I think the person most relieved about today’s game not being televised must be Dick Bremer. His pubescent voice crackling was very distracting last night and the night before. While Dick kept trying to brush it off, Bert kept making a remark every time his voice flared up. Dick almost sounded annoyed with Bert at one point.
I also think Lee was a little out of line, but the most he did was yell a profanity or two. It’s not that big a deal, guys.
I watched a ton of NL games when I was younger and pitchers don’t get thrown at as often as some of you seem to think. Most teams/players don’t want to get into a beanbrawl every time they have a gripe with the opposing team.
Ah, Shawn Bradley Guy, that made me laugh–well played.
Shawn, that was classic.
JC,
“That said, he had his own self-interests at heart. If things had escalated, he knew it was his butt that was likely to to get knocked down in retaliation.”
You may be over-rating Victor Martinez’s ability to evaluate the big picture in a short time interval.
Cliff Lee is a jerk who seriously needs to have the excrement beat out of him. May as well be Gomez doing it, if he can handle the job. Not that Gomez doesn’t make himself look like an idiot on a weekly basis. That fake bunt, hit back to the pitcher against Tampa was about as pathetic an AB as I have ever seen.
“I wonder if Gomez would sniff his hand before throwing a punch at Cliff Lee…??”
That’s funny!
If it has the same effect as sniffing his bat, Gomez would throw three wild hay-makers and then walk back to the dugout.
Unfortunately, the only thing that made last night’s game entertaining was the confrontation between Cliff Lee and Go-Go and the “retaliation” that may have ensued.
The best moment was when first base umpire “Big Country” Joe West was seen chuckling and obviously giving Kelly Shopvac a hard time about leaning into a knuckleball to get on first base. I thought the home plate umpire used excellent judgment in not ejecting Dickey after he hit a couple guys with his harmless knuckler.
My wife made a great point–Dickey was obviously sending a message with his first hit batter and the message was “hey, I’m going to hit you because we’re not going to let Cliff Lee bully our guy around, but I’ll do it with my harmless knuckler to prove that my intent isn’t to hurt anyone”. Even baby Lauren started to get interested after a couple Indians got plunked as she awoke from her deep sleep and started crying.
I also agree huge credit has to be given to Victor Martinez for diffusing the situation.
I was waiting for Bert Blyleven to back Cliff Lee up on what may seem to non-pitchers like unreasonable frustration about a guy trying to bunt on you. Pitchers as a fraternity, especially the good ones, don’t like that. If Cliff Lee is a Twin I suspect Blyleven would have let out a “I’d be mad, too.”
We need this one today. I don’t care about a bean ball war, I want a win.
I’ve got to admit, the sniff his hand/ sniff his bat comments went right over my head. I have no idea what that means.
Dickey was classic pleading his case on the first beaning which was obviously intentional.
I had to laugh when Lee misplayed the bunt by Casilla and only had wished that it was Gomez that had laid it down. Lee should have just let it ride when Gomez bunted for a third strike instead of having that silly a** smirk on his face - no class from a veteran who should know better. It’s just too bad we didn’t pick up the offense there and start pounding on him.
Not mentioned yet, here anyway, that this is the second consecutive start by Lee vs the Twins where he took shots at Gomez.
Hell of a pitcher, but what a tool. Yapping at Gomez for bunting and then trying to stir it up again after his flyout. They talked about it during the FSN broadcast and like Smalley stated, [paraphrase] Bunting is a part of Gomez’s game… it’d be like telling him he can’t throw changeups on 0-2 counts.
Like everyone, we don’t really know what was said…but what I do know is nothing should have been said.
I thought it would have been hilarious with the game out of hand to send the rest of the guys to the plate to lay down bunts all over the place.
sane: “You may be over-rating Victor Martinez’s ability to evaluate the big picture in a short time interval.”
OK how about this… given the crowded Tribe DL right now, he knew that in the event of a serious “event” that could result in team mates being ejected or injured, they could end up with the batboy and bullpen catcher filling in to field a team for the rest of the series.
Lee was jawing at Gomez last year about his bunting. Shut up and throw the damn ball. Field your position. Don’t whine about the bunt. CC whined about the same thing. It’s legal, so just shut up.
I hope we absolutely kill the ball next time we face him. And that we lay down about 15 bunts.
I think everyone agrees that Lee is kind of a jerk, but it needs to be said for the record that Gomez absolutely should not bunt with two strikes. I have seen him do that at least a half dozen times, and it has never worked (that I am aware of).
In fact, I think Gomez is actually not that good of a bunter. He does it a lot, and he has the speed to beat out a bunt, but it seems to me that his bunts are always foul or else they’re hit right at the pitcher.
To be honest, Eddie, if I had been managing the Twins, that is exactly what I’d have done. EVERY hitter would have at least squared around on the first pitch to make him (and his infielders) react… whether or not you actually had guys lay a bunt down.
Iconoclast… you may be right, but really, do you think Gomez’s chances of successfully laying down and beating out a bunt with two strikes are WORSE than his chances of swinging away and getting a hit with 2 strikes?
I don’t.
Good point, Mr. Crikket.
Iconoclast, Gomez smells his bats when he steps out of the box. Right up to the nose, takes a whiff and then spins the bat around so he can get his 360 smell on.
Gomez is the only player I know that can “bunt for power”.
Oh. I’ve never noticed that before. Is that kind of like Cuddyer’s “smell the RBIs” thing from a couple of years ago?
That was Red Dog, Iconoclast.
I know that Redmond was involved in that, but didn’t Cuddyer tap his nose every time he got an RBI?
50% of the time a guy strikes out? The rest of the time he hits the ball on the ground? Wow.
I didn’t see the interaction last night, but it sounds like Lee started it. Lee seems like the jerk here.
Yeah, Lee started it. He was chirping to Gomez again, chirping at Crede, smiling and smirking with his back turned to the batter after K’s…just being an a** in general, most of the night.
Everybody did that stupid “smell ‘em” bit until A.J. turned the tables on them.
Why did the umps make a big deal about the jaw-boning by Lee. He’s a jerk in the A.J. mode, so let’em trash talk.
Howard,
I’ve a question: The umps spoke with Ayala in the 8th inning. Why? What was said to Ayala by the ump? Bert and Dick made note of it, but didn’t know why the ump spoke to Ayala as the ump rubbed a baseball and tossed back to Ayala the ball.
Everybody did that stupid “smell ‘em” bit until A.J. turned the tables on them.
Talk about an “a**”.
Joe, from what I saw the umpire was checking the ball.
A.J. is an a**, I’ll give you that. But if the Twins can make celebratory gestures when they drive in a run, so can anybody else.
Benny W.
That’s the extent of it? I thought maybe the ump thought that Ayala had doctored (but, not Doc Donned) the ball.
Anyway, I still think that the umps made much ado about not much. Some players trash talk, Lee obviously is one of them. So what?
Some players trash talk, Lee obviously is one of them. So what?
While I agree a ‘little’ smack isn’t cause to start sending balls behind player’s ears… I think this case is different because of a couple things:
• This is Lee’s second consecutive “trash” session towards Gomez
• I believe in both games this happened, Lee didn’t make his remarks from the mound, he sauntered over towards the first base line to instigate things.
Sure players talk a little trash and I could care less when it’s done in gest, but when you’re trying to show up the other team as blatantly obvious as he was, you’d better apologize to your first batter that has to step in the box the next inning. I have a hard time believing he would be as loud in the NL.
Personally, I think his act was still classless. But the d0uche bag sure can pitch.
“the umps made much ado about not much. Some players trash talk, Lee obviously is one of them. So what?”
When Gomez tried to get to Lee, and then Martinez restrained him, it became difficult for the umpires to look away.
The Twins beat Lee a couple times last season, when no one else could.
I think that’s what has Clifford perturbed. He started picking on Go-Go last year, too, probably because he’s the easiest Twin to get riled up.
Also, Captain Cheeseburger once said he ‘hated’ the Twins and it didn’t seem to be entirely in jest.
Lee is the heir apparent. With their injuries, the Indians probably aren’t going to have a lot of 6-0 leads. The tool was making hay while the sun shines.
Can’t Delmon come down with a “sore groin” like LNP for let’s say 60 days?
Is it me or is Crede fragile (or a Wuss)? I know he fouled a ball off of his knee and it was sore, but would that have stopped Ripken from playing? How many games has Crede missed so far this year?
Look at all the little Jay Fergusons dancing as the bagpipe plays. Maybe Delmon can just play the bagpipes to provide some value.
Thanks for the plug, Howard.
“Revenge” may be a dish best served cold? Fausto is getting lit up like a Christmas tree.
All, Interesting points about the Gomez-Lee dustup, although I still think Carlos needs to chill a bit.
Joe, I don’t know what the baseball-check was about. Odd to see it from the second-base ump.
Blakep: Back in the day, the Twins had a mediocre pitcher named Jack O’Connor. When a pitcher got rocked, we would sometimes say: “He got lit up like a Jack O’Connor.” That seems to be happening to Carmona today.
Delmon looks like he doesn’t want to play. He doesn’t seem too open about what goes on in his head, but something long-term is going on in his head. The Twins seem to be trying to show him that they believe in him, and hope that brings him around. We’ll see. It has all the looks of a season-long funk we’ll hear details about after the year’s over. Delmon should be grateful he’s on this team.
Victor Martinez was a class act last night. He was walking Gomez back and telling the Twins dugout that he had Carlos and it was okay. Might’ve kept the peace.
Lee’s tough. I wish the Twins pitchers were that tough. Hope Swarzak learned something.
Howard,
I agree that it would serve Gomez best to chill a bit. The best response IMO is to jog straight to the dugout, close to the mound and chuckle a little as you pass him by. That leaves him fuming and lookin the part of a guy out of control. Gamesmanship is what we called it.
Lee may be a tool but I’m surprised by all support for Go-Go or Lee blame being shown here.
In fact Lee shouldn’t have been the only one yapping at him last night. Gardy should have had just as much to say to him.
I like Go-Go but swing the damn bat. If you want to bunt (which I’m all for) with less than two strikes fine. But your not a good bunter (or hitter for that matter) and your team is getting smoked so swing the bat with two strikes on you. And this is not the first time he’s done this dumb stunt or even done it to Lee.
Only Go-Go can turn a time when his team is having it handed to them and start posing and playing like he’s Ricky Henderson.
As for the earlier comment that Go-Go is hitting so poorly that it’s not really a lower percentage play (paraphrasing here), well it actually is since he’s NEVER gotten a bunt hit with two strikes on him. So it’s about a .220 less percentage play.
Swing the bat Go-Go and try to find a groove so you can help get things going for the bottom part of this order.
Go Twins!
do they risk the win and send Baker out in the 7th or will they find someone in the pen (Mattie) to trot onto the filed?
Why shouldn’t Gomez bunt? He needs to use it to his advantage. If Gardy doesn’t have a problem with it, why should you Kirby? It obviously upsets Cliff Lee when they try to bunt, and he really does come off looking like a freaking little baby about it. I was wishing Gomez would have kicked Lee’s ass last night, it would have been funny. I’m sure the morons in section 220 would have been aghast though…
The best response IMO is to jog straight to the dugout, close to the mound and chuckle a little as you pass him by.
Spot on. Plus, go out and smoke 4 line drives off his butt next time and then ask him quietly if he’d prefer you bunt next time.
As for bunting with two strikes, 150 years of baseball tells us most people don’t think it’s a wise play.
The key is to THREATEN to bunt with two strikes, but NEVER ACTUALLY DO IT.
How can you do that?
I have no clue.
Pete, We find a$$-kicking funny in Section 220. That’s why we’re all into MMA when we’re not watching baseball. You would have loved it when we kicked the tar out of Section 219 earlier this section. We didn’t think it was right for them to be buying wine coolers in quantity with two outs in the seventh inning.
Howard,
MMA?
Mixed Martial Arts
Shawn, Thanks for clearing that up for folks. Although I’m imagining Shawn Bradley in the octagon right now and it’s not a very happy thought. Would you pay to see a Bradley-Punto bout?
k91: “As for the earlier comment that Go-Go is hitting so poorly that it’s not really a lower percentage play (paraphrasing here), well it actually is since he’s NEVER gotten a bunt hit with two strikes on him. So it’s about a .220 less percentage play.”
Not exactly comparing apples to apples there, kirby. I’d be shocked (and pleasantly surprised) if Gomez’s BA with 2 strikes on him is .220.
My point was simply that, at least the way he’s been hitting thus far, if he’s down 0-2 or 1-2, I really don’t think his chances of getting a hit swinging away are any better than if he tries that 2-strike bunt again. Real good odds he’s going to be headed to the dugout anyway so why not get the pitcher and corner infielders moving a bit… and thinking a bit? Keep them from playing you deep next time you get 2 strikes and maybe you slap one by them that wouldn’t have gotten through otherwise.
It’s not like the guy is a serious threat to get a hit if he swings.
Howard: “Would you pay to see a Bradley-Punto bout?”
No. But then I wouldn’t pay to see any MMA bout.
I might make an exception for the next Section 220 vs Section 219 bout, though. That would be… entertaining.
JC,
One thing bout Gomez bunting with 2 outs. It says a lot about his confidence level.
Howard,
I’m having many random thoughts pop in mind while visualizing that sight…would Punto headfirst slide in between Shawn Bradley’s legs to get a cheap shot in the back…would Punto be more or less dangerous with a bat in his hands…would Gardy be in Punto’s corner coaching him up and saying “battle your tail off”…you just helped my day go by faster…
Thanks
Paul, I assume you don’t mean it says he’s REALLY confident in his bunting ability!? 
Thanks, Howard. It’s just one of those little things that stays in my mind, as in, for some reason I have to know what the heck the ump wanted with Ayala.
And I didn’t even know that it was the 2nd base ump, until you pointed this out in your reply to me.
Now, I really want to know.
Sane,
You’re right about Gomez trying to make it physical and thus, the need for the umps to cool down Gomez. But, I still don’t think the umps needed order no more trash talking by players. Instead, the umps should’ve warned Gomez about attempting to get physical and reminded Go-Go that trash talking is p/o the game and that he’d better get used to it.
This also shows the extremely emotional state of Gomez during games and why he isn’t a focused, cool, professional hitter and even makes mental erros on the field (e.g., his wild throw to 3rd base in the first game on a runner who wasn’t attempting to advance to third).
Gomez needs to study the ABs of Mauer and Span, the epitomes of these attributes. He needs to settle down and get his emotions under control. He’s a loose cannon.
I read Tom Verducci’s SI.com article the other day about how teams who are 5+ games below .500 entering June might as well start selling players now, because of the 104 playoff teams in the “wild card era”, only 3 of them had that bad a record entering June. (See http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/06/02/june.wakeup/index.html )
That got me thinking.
If I had my own blog (and I’ve considered starting one cuz, God knows, there just aren’t enough Twins blogs around, but then I realize it’s probably a lot of work and what I REALLY want is all the fame, fortune, prestige and perks that go with HAVING a Twins blog, without having to do the work), I would pose this question to my faithful readers (and since I DON’T have my own blog, I’m going to blatantly steal Howard’s):
If, as Verducci claims, the Indians, A’s, Nationals, Pirates, Astros, D-Backs and Rockies should all start dumping players now (and it appears at least the Pirates are reading and already heading Verducci’s advice), who should Bill Smith go make a deal to get?
Of course, this requires us to do a couple of things.
1-Put aside reality and pretend the Twins actually would consider making a mid-year trade; and
2-Ignore Verducci’s second point that all AL teams below .500 whatsover entering June also have such a low statistical chance of winning the pennant that they, too, should be “sellers” now, rather than “buyers”. I have no problem with selectively ignoring points I choose not to want to believe.
Anyway… do those teams have middle infielders who are actually familiar with the feeling a hitter gets when the barrel of their bat connects with a pitch? Do they have starting pitchers not prone to giving up 6-run innings? Maybe a good closer or late inning RP who’s wasting away in a bullpen for a team that never has a lead in the late innings? If so, are any of these guys available (read: about to become arbitration eligible or become free agents?)
Anyway… that’s what I would pose to my loyal blog readers… if I had a blog.
Jiminy Insect:
Forget the middle-infielder concerns. BS and the FO should look at getting one quality set-up RP to avoid having to pitch Nathan in the 9th. Then, look to either making a trade or the farm system for another middle reliever.
With what’s in Rochester for infielders and, possibly, middle relievers, the Twins need to focus on getting a quality set-up man.
Keep it simple and realistic in terms of payroll. The fans aren’t exactly pouring into the Dome this year.
Interesting take, Joe1. I could argue that the pen has been holding up its end of things rather well of late, whereas there are guys in the rotation who have imploded semi-regularly.
And I’m afraid I can’t “forget” the MIF concerns as long as every guy who trots out there outweighs his BA and I don’t see anyone on the farm that would be an improvement for this season (or perhaps even next).
Jim C:
We can’t use Nathan in the 8th in every close game, so we need a set-up man. Harris should okay at SS and if Casilla has turned it around this season, then the MIF is less important than a set-up RP.
If I’m Bill Smith, I’m on the phone with Houston offering to take the (roughly) $9M (plus $2M in 2010 and 2011, total roughly $13) owed to Miguel Tejada off their books.
Shouldn’t take too much in return–after all we’re taking on $13M in salary–and we get a competant RH bat to plug somewhere into the top half the lineup. Tejada’s defense ain’t that great anymore, but neither is Harris’. I now have the luxery of turning Harris into a parttime 2nd baseman (at least against LH pitching), a part time third baseman for when Crede needs a break, and it makes Punto a full time futility infielder and makes Tolbert a full time AAA player.
The Twins have the money. Tejada’s contract runs out after this year and they could either offer arb and accept another one year salary next year, or offer arb and if he turns it down, get two draft picks next year.
If, as Verducci claims, the Indians, A’s, Nationals, Pirates, Astros, D-Backs and Rockies should all start dumping players now (and it appears at least the Pirates are reading and already heading Verducci’s advice), who should Bill Smith go make a deal to get?
They won’t trade with the Indians. They should probably not trade with the A’s either. Given that the Diamondbacks and Huston both are in fairly dire straights as far as salaries go and would be the first to try to unload budget, they would be the best targets. I’d love to see what it would take to pluck Danny Haren (signed for 09:$7.5M, 10:$8.25M, 11:$12.75M, 12:$12.75M, 13:$15.5M club option ($3.5M buyout) and does not have a no trade cause, unlike Oswald); I suspect a little less that what the Twins got for Santana. And maybe try to get Chad Qualls as well (kind of tough, because he has another year of arbitration left)
Looking at what the Twins got to give, something like Perkins + Crain + Mulvey + Winfree/Tosoni might do the trick.
Thry, agree that DBacks might be a good place for BS to start. He and Josh Byrnes seem to be joined at the hips as GM’s that have made dubious decisions (E.Byrnes rather than C.Quentin, 3 yr contract to no experience mgr. Hinch). BS might do better trading with him than with better GM’s.
For Byrnes to part with Haren, it would have to be a $$ dump because Haren is a darn good pitcher. The DBacks mirror the Twins with some good young players and good potential but neither has that older veteran player to throw into the mix, unless you count Cuddyer as one such player. The one I would love to get from the DBacks is Drew but of course that’s nothing but a dream — won’t happen.
T98, agree. Haren’s a reasonable option for another starter. What do you think about the need for a RH set-up RP?
I don’t see the Tjeda move as anything reasonably within the Twins’ reach if they get Haren. I’m not sure Miguel is needed and his range may be even less than that of Harris.
Anyone, I’m heading home.
Gosh almighty, does anyone have the story on the 2nd base ump’s conversation with Ayala in the 8th inning of last night’s game?
You all are probably completely talked out about the Gomez-Lee incident but I’m surprised that nobody mentioned that the Cleveland a**h*** also developed that “stiff neck” last year and took himself out of an important game in late Sept. against the Chisox. Yeah, he really likes the Twins!!
Go-Go got the best revenge by breaking up his shutout. Didn’t see Lee smirking or mouthing off when that run scored, did we?
On the ump looking at the ball when Ayala was pitching, it was funny that when the batter subsequently flew out to Gomez, the TV camera caught Gomez examining the ball like he was wondering what that was all about also.
Joe 1, if you’re still there, maybe the ump thought Ayala was putting some foreign substance on the ball?? You should probably send an email to Bert, he seems to be knowledgeable about those sorts of things!! (LOL)
What do you think about the need for a RH set-up RP?
Qualls might be an option. Even though I think that a two headed beast (so they are both get enough rest) of Mijares and Guerrier might be fine. Hard to commit to someone from more than a season (or take on such a commitment) with Neshek returning next season and Boof probably as early as September. Let’s see what Delaney does in Rochester, and that is a darn crowded bullpen come 2010…
Haren, a top starter who will be sought by several teams if he’s made available, and owed $45M through 2012, is ‘a reasonable option?’
Adding $45M in guaranteed money?
Giving up the prospects it would take, even assuming the Twins have enough to outbid everyone else?
Color me very skeptical.
Chief,
His annual cost is as much as that of Nathan. The Twins are happen to be below payroll by more than what he makes this season and starting next season they will be able to take on additional payroll. I don’t think that it will take anything irreplaceable in the system to get Harren. It might actually lessen some of the long jams, where guys like Winfree/Tosoni/Benson will be hard to break through. And Harren is probably one of the top pitchers in the league and he is just 28 (a year older than Baker and Blackburn). I’d take his next 3 years over those of Santana’s and Sabathia’s every day.
As would I, especially over Sabathia. Haren’s pitched over 215 innings in every one of his full seasons (4). C.C.’s only done that twice in 8 seasons in the big leagues.
Some interesting ideas anyway on potential deals with the teams already “out of it”.
I agree there will be no deals with Cleveland. Not so sure Oakland would be ruled out, but I don’t see anyone there that really would be a fit for the Twins anyway. Cabrera at SS maybe? He hasn’t hit any better than Harris, though, has he?
Same thing with Tulowitzki in Colo. Not that I think the Rockies are ready to part ways with him (though he could be starting to get expensive soon), but he hasn’t hit well this year. Are they ready to get what they can for Houston Street yet?
Haren from the D`Backs would be one bold friggin move, wouldn’t it? I agree that Drew wouldn’t be on the table but what about Felipe Lopez? Do they have someone ready to break in and play 2B that would make Lopez available? Do they really need a closer like Qualls and does he figure in their future plans?
Tejada might be a fun idea… but what about Hawkins? Would the Twins look in to bringing him back? He’s putting up some decent numbers as their closer.
Speaking of potential reunion tours, how about Christian Guzman from the Nationals?
Jack Wilson from the Pirates would be available, I’m sure, but I don’t see him as an upgrade. But do they have someone ready to take over for Freddy Sanchez? Capps has struggled some for them, but would a league change help?
Big Unit won his 300th today. Congratulations Randy Johnson.
If anyone puts foreign substances on baseballs, it would be the Indians. Their pitching coach, Carl, “Big Train” Willis was known to load up the ball, which is how he got so much sink on it.
I remeber that, C’math. Big Train loaded up a bunch of vaseline under his chin and greased up good when he threw his “out” pitch.
Might have been KY Jelly, I don’t know.
Beisbol! “I” want to talk some more about the battle of Go-Go and Lee! If Martinez would have got in front of ME, he’d have been the first one to go down! I was wanting Carlos to get in his face and have Victor, (Brenda) Lee, AND Gomez ejected. That would have added a little excitement! Also, I don’t think Shopvac tries to avoid the HBP so he should be out.
thrylos98 says:
June 4th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Next time Lee starts in an NL park and tries to bunt with two strikes himself, I hope the opposing pitcher treats him appropriately…
FIRE VAVRA & GARDY!!!!! says:
June 4th, 2009 at 10:12 am
thrylos98 - unfortunately you just compared GOGO hitting to an AL pitcher who hasn’t hit regularly in years..
and your right!!
T98 and FIRE both made comments that I liked on today’s blog. Maybe that only becomes possible when Cuddyer and Punto are hurt. Whatever the case, well done, lads!
Harren would be my first choice. They have only 1 other pitcher that I feel super confident in right now. Perkins or Liriano can go in that deal (I’d say Perkins) along with Mulvey and Deunsing (probably need to toss in some OF from AAA also).
They have the money for that salary. He makes the team better. He probably costs 1 current mediocre starter and two AAA decent prospects. They still have Swarzak in AAA in this scenario, to cover an injury, though it does thin things out a bit.
If I picked up Haren for Perkins+, I’m not so sure Swarzak wouldn’t still be in my rotation. Haren, Baker, Blackburn, Slowey, and Swarzak looks pretty good to me.
Of course, it might be nice to be able to teach a couple of those guys to throw left handed. Think Andy could do that on short notice?
