2007 Minnesota Twins

[Irishmans Shanty]

4/26 Twins 1, KC 0 (11 innings)

[Irishmans Shanty]

4/26 Twins 1, Royals 0 (11 innings)
4/27 Twins 5, Tigers 3

[ChrisK]

Joe Christensen reported in his blog that it looks like Scott Baker is now the first in line at Rochester to be called up if Ponson continues to falter. He has been putting up really good numbers so far this year. It would be a pleasant surprise if he is called up and does well but my thought is that it would give the Twins a good opportunity to trade one of their other young arms for a hitter, preferably someone who hits lefties with some pop.

Castillo and Cirillo are due back for tomorrow's game against Tampa, the return of Castillo in particular should help the lineup.

[Irishmans Shanty]

5/2 Devil Rays 4, Twins 3
5/3 Devil Rays 6, Twins 4

Get off the ledge, Twins are only a 1.5 games back in the Wild Card Derby!

[packerboy]

Thats right IS. There is no reason to panic.

Just because the offense is even more inconsistent than last year and the bullpen has been leaky as of late, doesnt mean they are in trouble.

Over 162, I still like their chances because of the strong overall pitching staff.

Stuff happens. Nathan is going to blow saves and Morneau is going to hit into double plays. Its baseball.

I would much rather "suffer" through a few bad spells with the Twins than have to follow the DRays all year. Did you guys notice the stands? You could lob a couple of grinades in there and not hit anybody.

Go Twins.

[Irishmans Shanty]

You're right on PB, Twins nation can't panic in early May over a couple losses to the underwater birds. Look around the League, there are other teams with bigger payrolls and problems.

Yankees 12-14, will not finish the year 80-82 but pitching is a major concern
Sox 12-13, Thome and Pods injured, they can't hit the Boofin ball at all right now
A's 13-14, slow start nothing new for them
Rangers 10-18, always adding new pieces but can't win
Cardinals 10-16, defending champs have a medley of problems on and off the field
Cubs 12-14, another big payroll that can't hit or win on any consistant basis, they add Soriano and Piniella and it doesn't matter.
Toronto 13-15, they've spent big money in the last two years in adding Burnitt, Glaus, and Thomas while holding onto Wells and Halladay.

[goldy313]

Good point IS, but the Twins aren't competing against those teams they're competing against the Tigers, Indians, and White Sox. 2 of those 4 teams will make the playoffs.

We look for Nathan to turn it around but he has been boarderline brutal this season, giving up 19 hits and 5 walks in 13 innings, he has the same 1.80 WHIP as Ponson and guys are hitting .340 off of him. Also Silva has been near brilliant but how long can that keep up?

All 3 teams in the Twins are fighting have closer issues, which makes me wonder why these guys get payed the way they do. It seems that just playing the % like teams do in 7th and 8th is a better way to do it unless you have Rivera or Eckersly. Closers just seem the most overarted player on a team, they usually come in in the 9th with nobody on and just have to get 3 outs. It seems Neshaks job coming in in the 7th with guys on 1st and 3rd is a tougher task.

BTW Hunter's hitting streak hit 19 last night as he got 2 of the Twins 3 hits off Wakefield.

[Blue Breeze]

Good point IS, but the Twins aren't competing against those teams they're competing against the Tigers, Indians, and White Sox. 2 of those 4 teams will make the playoffs.

We look for Nathan to turn it around but he has been boarderline brutal this season, giving up 19 hits and 5 walks in 13 innings, he has the same 1.80 WHIP as Ponson and guys are hitting .340 off of him. Also Silva has been near brilliant but how long can that keep up?

All 3 teams in the Twins are fighting have closer issues, which makes me wonder why these guys get payed the way they do. It seems that just playing the % like teams do in 7th and 8th is a better way to do it unless you have Rivera or Eckersly. Closers just seem the most overarted player on a team, they usually come in in the 9th with nobody on and just have to get 3 outs. It seems Neshaks job coming in in the 7th with guys on 1st and 3rd is a tougher task.

BTW Hunter's hitting streak hit 19 last night as he got 2 of the Twins 3 hits off Wakefield.

Closers are so valuable because so few people can do it. Ask the Indians of last year how important closers are, or the Red Sox a few years back when Foulke was blowing saves every other night. Bullpens have gained importance over the years and now they are essential to be a championship team, and the closers and the linchpins of those bullpens. Think of how many games are decided by 1, 2, or 3 runs. Without somebody who can close the door 90% of the time you're looking at shaving 8-10 wins off your record which is devastating.

Look at the teams that made the playoffs last year:

Minnesota (Nathan)
Detroit (Jones)
New York (Rivera)
Oakland (Street)

New York (Wagner)
St. Louis (Wainright)
Los Angeles (Saito)
San Diego (Hoffman)

All those teams had closers who could get it done.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Look at the teams that made the playoffs last year:

Minnesota (Nathan)
Detroit (Jones)
New York (Rivera)
Oakland (Street)

New York (Wagner)
St. Louis (Wainright)
Los Angeles (Saito)
San Diego (Hoffman)

All those teams had closers who could get it done.

St. Louis actually had Isringhausen for most of the year, even better than Wainwright. LA had Gagne going into the year. Closers are huge if you have a good one, if not the bullpen by committee seems to work better IMO than sending a guy out there and praying he does the job.

Hypothetically, if the Twins are out of the race by the trade deadline. How much could they get for Hunter, Castillo & Nathan? Maybe even Ortiz? Just reload with prospects, teach Crain how to close and spend some of the $ you are saving in the offseason. I don't wanna sound like tank the team because I don't think they would be doing that, but trade what is worth the most to other teams and that you can replace at the moment without a huge dropoff in talent and finish out the year and reevaluate. Bad idea? Again, this is looking waaaaaay into the future.

[Irishmans Shanty]

1. The Twins need to seriously consider making Joe Mauer something other than a catcher. I don't care if he wants to catch or not, he is too valuable to take the beating his position demands.

2. Any major league team featuring a lineup with Tyner, Kubel, Bartlett, Rodriguez, Redmond, and Castillo on the same day is an insult to anyone who cares if they win or lose.

Oh by the way, who were your pinch hitters Sunday? Punto and Rabe. This collection of slap hitters, journeymen outfielders, and unproven prospects boasts 66 career home runs in 10,453 AB's. Needing to hit the Boofin' ball will reach new uncharted levels in the next two weeks. Someone other than Cirillo, Hunter, or Morneau will put a potentially game changing charge into the ball one time between yesterday and next Saturday.

Sign another Pitcher!

[packerboy]

As we discussed going into the season, there was nothing done to upgrade the offensive depth of this team.

That chicken will come home to roost.

Their pitching has been better than I expected. Pontoon , Ortiz and Silva have been great. The bullpen, even though it is given no room for error almost every night, has been very good.

With Mauer and Cuddyer out , it really isnt fun to watch. I have to leave the room sometimes when the Twins are at bat.

Get some people in here who can hit the Boofin ball.

[ChrisK]

I agree with no.1 Shanty, but where do you put him? Morneau's got first covered, so I'm thinking 3rd base. Mauer's got the athleticism to make the transition but you just never know.

In regards to no.2, Morneau was actually the guy that let the team down yesterday, he didn't come through in the critical situations.

Sidney pitched well enough yesterday for a no.5 starter. The Twins appear to have a dearth of pitching right now, it would seem to be the ideal opportunity to make a trade at some point here for a 3rd baseman, left fielder or even a DH who can upgrade the lineup. Before he went on the DL, I thought Reggie Sanders might be an option, even if you'd have to make a deal with a division rival in KC. Any other ideas?

[packerboy]

Chris, Its a little early to talk trade because teams dont know where they are going to be but the Sanders thing would be good. It wouldnt take much to be an upgrade.

Mauer will be the catcher. He could get hurt playing any position or , as we have seen, just running the bases. He is a great catcher and is needed there.

The thought once again occured to me: How can they not sign Hunter?

It should be a number 1 priority right now. If he goes, they will have an outfield that is sub par at best. Dont tell me about the kid in Rochester. If he really can go get the ball but cant hit much, sign Hunter and move him to left field and let the kid play center.

They cant lose Hunter.

[Irishmans Shanty]

Mauer goes to 3B and trade Morneau.

Now hold on, before you get your underwear in a bunch, here me out. To get something good you have to give up something good.

Call the Yankees, make a deal where the basis of the deal is Morneau/Punto/Rincon for Arod/Dougie Alphabekiewicz. Each team then jockies cash and peripheral players to even the trade.

Everyone is Happy
1. Shanty shuts up for a while about the Twins apprehension of making a bold move to win now.
2. Arod gets out of NY, spends five months in Minnesota leading the Twins to a third World championship, then nixes the final 3 years of the deal to go on the open market to earn another obnoxious free agent contract.
3. Mauer adds one, maybe two additional lucrative contracts to the end of his career.
4. Santana and Hunter remain Twins for one more deal and help move the Twins into the new stadium.
5. Yankees add a gold glove caliber 3B, an MVP 1B, and a reliable high quality late inning reliever they badly need.
6. Dougie returns home, bats .249 in the 7 hole and makes the defense immediately better.
7. Morneau takes advantage of the Yankees' short RF porche, becomes a star on the biggest stage and gets paid to do it.
8. Redmond becomes the starting catching, heck, if he's good enough to bat in the #3 spot now when he plays, he's good enough to play everyday

[goldy313]

I like the idea of trading Morneau, but I think the Yankees would overpay for pitching, the Twins need help and LF is an issue, how about Silva or Ortiz for Matsui?

Another guy I'd like to see would be Mike Sweeney at DH, he is often injured but he'd be a huge upgrade from Tyner.

[Govs93]

If trading Morneau is ever given a thought - and I'm not sure they've given up on re-signing him yet - you know that Terry Ryan isn't going to give him up for a rent-a-player like A-Rod. That would be a ridiculous move... worse than Nathan/Liriano/Bonser for A.J.

If Morneau goes, T.R. will be looking for at least 1 established major leaguer and a couple of hot prospects in return. The kid is a 25 year old MVP, so exchanging him for a third of a season with A-Rod is goofy.

I like the idea of moving Mauer out from behind the plate though... maybe to left field. Go into '08 with two cannons at the corner outfield spots and Span in center might not be a bad idea.

[Irishmans Shanty]

Morneau may be 25 years old but until he gets new paper and is locked up he is rent-a-player himself. Major league clubs own a player's rights for their first six years, Morneau must be close to that at the completion of this season.

[packerboy]

If you move Mauer out from behind the plate, who is your everyday catcher?

Moving a good hitter out of the catching position isnt a new idea. But it is usually done in connection with a giving a young catcher who shows a lot of promise, some playing time.

You dont move Mauer to left field so Mike Redmond can be your catcher.

[ChrisK]

packerboy, I understand it's really too soon to start trading, but they have to start thinking about it.

Apparently the Angels are also loaded with pitching and this columnist had this to say about it: http://tinyurl.com/26zx9p

He brings up the Cards' Scott Rolen and the Astros' Morgan Ensberg, two NLers having subpar starts. Both are right handed 3rd basemen.

[Irishmans Shanty]

Mauer is not an outfielder, his hands are way too good to waste in the outfield. OF positions can be filled with the Lew Fords, Jose Cansecos, Jason Tyners, and Carlos Lees. 1st or 3rd for Big Joe, you pick it.

[State Champ 97]

LeCroy can catch.......................................................................I'M KIDDING!

[packerboy]

Good one Champ. Yah, I guess I forgot about him. Put LeCroy back there and no one would notice the difference.

Listen up all you young modern day ballplayers and fans. The great Johnny Bench, after his first 4-5 years or so, only played about 130 games at catcher. But he played the other 30 in the OF, 3b and 1b.

He hit 40 HRs playing catcher. He averaged about 30 HRs a year and hit .270 or so.

Mauer is a much better athlete than Bench. He will be fine catching.

[Govs93]

He hit 40 HRs playing catcher. He averaged about 30 HRs a year and hit .270 or so.

The reason I am still golfing is because of Johnny Bench... A few years back, he was attempting to make the Senior Tour and got an exemption into the Burnett Classic at Bunker Hills. I saw him tee off at #1 and hit a screaming worm-burner about 175 yards straight left into a pine tree at which point he had to address the ball lefthanded to chop it out. I figured if that guy could try to make a go of it in golf, why not me? Thanks Johnny!

Anyway, I digress... There's no doubt that Mauer would be a great catcher for the rest of his career, but I think rather than being a catcher first/1B,3B,OF second, it will have to be vice-versa at some point.

As these freak injuries keep occurring (sliding on the rubber warning track, getting a stress "reaction", and now the quad... all leg injuries by the way), it becomes more-and-more apparent to me as well as the guys signing the checks, that Mauer's days as a primary catcher are numbered. I have no doubt he'll finish this season, but during the offseason, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Twins sniffing around for another catcher.

[packerboy]

Maybe. But guys like Pudge are still playing and always have played at catcher.

I like Mauer at his natural position even if he misses a few games every year.

[Wild4hockey]

When have the Twins every made a splash in the trade market. We can all project dream scenarios but in reality the Twins management refuses to alter their approach at building a team for the long term. We have an embarassment of riches now because of TR's approach to building a team.