Twins 29-29, All Square & Ready To Go On A Tear

[packerboy]

Hunter can kiss my axe.

But what do the Twins do now?

Spend what they saved to replace him offensively?

They better.

Did TR pick a good tome to bail?

Will the "R" word be tossed around?

You are Smith...which way do you go?

[goldy313]

Looks like Torii is going to be an Angel, he has signed in principal to a 5yr deal.

Funny how these things turn out, the Rangers and Sox looked like the lead guitars and in come the Angels. Don't they already have Gary Matthews Jr.?

Yes, but Matthews has a Human growth hormone thing hanging over his head now. On Nov. 7th he had to meet with MLB to discuss his receiving HGH in the mail. The Angles may want to cut ties with him or at the very least have a replacement in place should MLB suspend him. Add to that he only hit .252 last season.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

After reading on it, it seems that the Angels weren't thinking about next year when they signed Hunter, but 2-3 years from now. LF Anderson is on the last year of his contract and possibly career, they didn't see any FA possibilities next year that excited them so they went after a big guy this year and give themselves a great defensive and offensive OF with Matthews in left, Hunter in right and The Clydesdale in right.

Sad to see Torii go, but I'm interested to see what the Twins do in the coming weeks. Will Santana be gone by the time the Winter meetings come to a close?

[Govs93]

Looks like some more excitement could be brewing. Garza, Batlett and Rincon to the Rays for Delmon Young and Brendan Harris?

Delmon Young is going to be an offensive star in MLB - maybe as soon as next year - don't think he's the clubhouse kind of guy the Twins usually look for though. Throwing bats at umpires is generally frowned upon in Minnesota.

Makes me a little nervous, but at this point, you may as well try something. He'd add some excitement to the season anyway.

[packerboy]

Interesting.

We have been after them to trade some of the pitching depth but I didnt think it would involve one of the young guys.

No way did I think it would involve both Santana and Garza.

A lot of people have said that they are in a position to really improve their club if things fall right.

Lets stay tuned.

[HSHockey1]

Delmon Young=5 tool player who will produce for the Twins.... LETS SIGN JOHAN clap clap clap clap LETS SIGN JOHAN

[pacman]

its official, now why, if they dont resign santana we are done, other than him and Liriano, our rotation is pathetic, Baker is Alright, But i cant take another season of Boof Fricken Bonser.

[George Blanda]

Glen Perkins is sick and has had success in his time in the bigs...

Kevin Slowey is still young and will continue to improve.

I doubt Liriano will come back and make the impact he had...but will still be a solid pitcher, just not dominant.

So...right now

Santana
Baker
Slowey
Perkins
Liriano
Bonser

Other than Santana, it's just a list of potentially good pitchers...I can't wait to see how the rest of this off-season goes.

[Irishmans Shanty]

Twins were 79-83 last season.

So Far:

Outfield
Hunter Out
Young In

Infield
Bartlett Out
Harris In

Pitching
Garza Out

Outfield
White Out
Monroe In
Pridie In

"We've got a long way to go before March 31," Smith said. "We're going to continue talks with other clubs, talks with free agents. We have a lot of work to do."

I agree with you 100% Mr. Smith

[Govs93]

Don't forget about Brian Duensing & Nick Blackburn. They both ripped through AAA last year without too much trouble, and Duensing started the title game of the baseball World Cup a couple weeks ago and won... there must be something there.

I don't think this is all as gloom-and-doom as it would seem on the surface. They've still got quite a bit of young pitching talent without Garza. The priority now has to be locking up Morneau... If they can get Mauer-Morneau-Young batting 3-4-5 for the next 4 or 5 years, they may finally be on to something.

Next year will be rough, but get these pitchers some experience, and '09 and '10 might be something to get excited for.

[Irishmans Shanty]

I agree Govs, there is some talent coming that hasn't really been on the radar as of yet. It seems like we hear about the JD Durbins forever and he never arrives but then a Neshek steps in and dominates.

I do think the Twins need to address this Johan thing. You know how those things go, he's in uniform, competing, and doing his best but this issue of is he going to be traded, who's he going to, when is it happening has to be a distraction for him and everybody else. Take care of this before spring training, please!

[Can't Never Tried]

IS ,Govs, PB, You guys know I'm not up on all this Twins stuff, but I heard on the radio that GM-tana has a no trade claus in his contract, is that right?
They said if he plays one more year here he becomes a free agent and would be a much better deal for him.

Of course this was Sid so take it for what it's worth.

Elaborate please.

[packerboy]

IS ,Govs, PB, You guys know I'm not up on all this Twins stuff, but I heard on the radio that GM-tana has a no trade claus in his contract, is that right?
They said if he plays one more year here he becomes a free agent and would be a much better deal for him.

Of course this was Sid so take it for what it's worth.

Elaborate please.

Johan would agree to a trade to a big market team that would probably involve an extension. So, the Yankees give Johan the extension he is looking for and they give the Twins the players they are looking for and everybody is happy.

As far as Johan wanting to play out his contract and become a free agent, there is a certain amount of risk in that for him. He was 16-13 last year 3.30 ERA. Is he on the decline? Was that just a little dip that all ball players have? Will he regain Cytana form?

If he plays out the string and is 16-13 next year , he will have cost himself alot of money.

The Garza/Young trade is a good one for both teams and one that we here on this most fabulous of forums have been calling for. However , Id be more excited if it was done in conjuction with the signing of Hunter.

When they trade Santana, they will be minus a CY Young ace, a top pitching prospect with MLB experience; an AllStar, Gold Glove CF, and a solid SS.

They better get a lot for GMtana.

[boblee]

Could it be Jose Reyes at short stop next year? Boy, he would fit in.

It seems fitting that the morning after the Twins trade their starting shortstop that Omar Minya says he may trade Jose Reyes...

Also, Twins reportedly have no interest in Coco Crisp, but possibly Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buccholz.

[Govs93]

IS ,Govs, PB, You guys know I'm not up on all this Twins stuff, but I heard on the radio that GM-tana has a no trade claus in his contract, is that right?
They said if he plays one more year here he becomes a free agent and would be a much better deal for him.

Of course this was Sid so take it for what it's worth.

Elaborate please.

He has a partial no-trade clause - he can block trades to 10 teams (although I don't know what they are). If he had finished in the top 2 of Cy Young voting this year, he'd have a full no-trade clause.

I'm guessing that in his case, it's a non-issue because he's going to end up in a better financial and probably competitve situation whever he goes. It's not as if teams like the Marlins, Reds or Orioles are going to be paying him. He'll end up with a contender that will bankroll him like LA, Boston or NY, so I don't know why in the world he'd block a trade to one of those places.

[Irishmans Shanty]

PB pretty much just nailed it, I would like to tack on one little nugget though.

Pitchers, more than any other position player, want to have years on their current deals. Right now Johan is only guaranteed $ through '08.

Johan wants to be throwing balls in anger come April with guaranteed $ through at least '12.

You see, if a pitcher feels a little twitch, pull, throb, or a zing in an elbow or shoulder, their livlihood could be gone just like that.

Johan would happily wave his no trade clause to get those years now, if he is moved it will be a trade and extend deal to NY, NY, BOS, LA, or somebody else who can handle a $20mil/year athlete. If Johan stays, he will need to put up numbers and stay injury free for at least another 3,500 deliveries.

[Govs93]

Could it be Jose Reyes at short stop next year? Boy, he would fit in.

It seems fitting that the morning after the Twins trade their starting shortstop that Omar Minya says he may trade Jose Reyes...

Also, Twins reportedly have no interest in Coco Crisp, but possibly Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buccholz.

They picked up Brendan Harris to play SS in the trade with Young - although my preference would be Reyes over Harris at shortstop if given the choice!

I just don't think they'll be actively seeking a SS in a package for Santana. I would guess they'll be looking for some combination of 3B/DH/CF/young major league pitcher in return for Santana at this point. We'll take David Wright and Carlos Beltran!

[Irishmans Shanty]

Johan, in case your reading us today, take a look at Liriano, Crain, Perkins, Rincon. Hey, you remember what Mays looked like after surgery and last but not least, how about your old buddy Radke, retired and out of the game at 33yrs of age.

[Can't Never Tried]

Thanks guys... now I can hear them say the same thing on grampa sports tomorrow morning

By the way you guys are sickly educated on this baseball stuff

[Govs93]

It should be noted that I may be putting a little more positive spin than I normally would if this trade had been for a left handed hitter. My seats are in left field and I only caught one ball last year, so I'm very excited about the (right handed hitting) Delmon Young acquisition!

[packerboy]

Good point govs. I have some seats over on the right side passed first base.

Right handed hitters foul them off over there so I was happy to see it too.

[State Champ 97]

I like this trade. I have never been a big Bartlett fan and with the players we have, he will be one of the easiest to replace. I think Garza will be a very good starting pitcher at some point but you have to give up quality to get quality and Young is quality. Good trade for both teams. Good luck to players leaving and welcome to the players coming.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

First off, trading Garza for Young was a good deal. Kind of hurts to lose Bartlett and his D, but Harris adds a little pop and will be solid at short. Young gives us 2 monster arms in the OF and he will be a great hitter in years to come. Garza has shown flashes, but has never been consistent. I like the trade.

As far as Santana goes, there is no way we are getting Jose Reyes, David Wright or anyone of that caliber. It is going to have to be young up and comers and prospects. I think Santana will go to the Yankees or Boston. From the Yankees we'll get Ian Kennedy/Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and some prospects. Red Sox will be Coco, Bucholtz/Lester and prospects. I don't see them giving up Ellsbury, but it'd be cool if we could get him. Personally I think the Yankees looks sweeter, unless we can get Ellsbury out of the Sox. The Mets are offering Milledge, Pelfrey and Humber, but Pelfrey & Humber struggled last year and don't have the hype they once did.

Either way, the Twins NEED to trade Santana before the season starts. His value will never be higher. If the season starts, any of those prospects could light it up and all of a sudden none of the teams are in a major need for Santana and won't give up the guys who are producing for them. Plus the risk of injury.

[ChrisK]

Lavelle E. Neal was on Barreiro today and he feels the Red Sox will not give up Ellsbury, Theo likes him too much. Personally I like Phil Hughes, the Yankees' phenom, if the Twins can get him and some other talent (Cano?) for Santana they should make the deal.

Packerboy will probably be shocked, but I like the trade. Young does have issues but he's a very talented player and especially with the loss of Hunter they needed some offense.

This off season will be a trial by fire for the new GM, he's made a good first move let's hope he can make some more.

[Irishmans Shanty]

Cub world wants in the Santana sweepstakes.

The consensus is they'd part with Rich Hill LHP, Matt Murton LF, and Felix Pie CF for Johan.

None of these guys blow me away, I'd hold out for Melky and Hughes.