A Little Perspective
You probably know of the tragedy at Fort Hood this week. Here's something from a soldier, in his own words, from SB Nation site The Phinsider.
about 12 hours ago
Jesse
0 comments
1 recs
Organization Review (Center fielders)
by roger13 on Nov 7, 2009 3:01 PM EST
11 comments
Although the top prospect in the organization probably is a catcher and the best power prospect a first baseman/corner outfielder, center field is clearly the top position in the organization. Not only are the following Top Ten the strongest group of any position, the organization has two very good players capable of playing center field who were included with the corner outfielders...Joe Benson and Rene Tosoni.
11 comments | 1 recs
Twins Pick Up Michael Cuddyer's 2011 Option
by Jesse on Nov 7, 2009 12:41 PM EST
in News
14 comments
And here I was, writing about whether or not the Twins should actually do it....
Of course my conclusion was an adament "YES, YES THE TWINS SHOULD PICK UP CUDDY'S 2011 OPTION". Clearly I have a nose for these things.
Cuddyer's 2011 option is worth $10.5 million, but with the buyout an even million in its own right the Twins are essentially paying our right fielder $9.5 million for his services two years from now. Of course we all know that, as one of the team's leaders, Cuddyer hit .276/.342/.520 this past summer with career highs in home runs and slugging percentage.
There will be questions about whether or not Cuddles is worth that much money as a 32-year old right fielder whose range leaves a bit to be desired, but as far as I'm concerned this was a quality decision, and one that was more or less unavoidable.
This decision raises Minnesota's 2011 committments to roughly $42.6 million dollars: Justin Morneau ($15 MM), Joe Nathan ($11.25 MM), Cuddyer ($10.5 MM) and Scott Baker ($5.00 MM), as well as a $500K buyout for Nick Punto and a $350K buyout for Jason Kubel.
14 comments | 0 recs |
Cuddyers Option for 2011 Picked Up
So that answers one more off season question.
Minor League Report...November 7, 2009
by roger13 on Nov 7, 2009 9:22 AM EST
7 comments
A couple items of note this week include the Twins outrighting Brian Buscher to Rochester. This cleared a 40-man roster spot before the five free agents are removed in the next week. Why this was done at this time remains a mystery? My best guess is that the Twins were in discussion on some deal from which they may have needed an open spot on their roster. It turned out to not be the case with the J.J. Hardy deal. Maybe during the Hardy discussions there were other players under consideration or there could have been another deal (perhaps Tampa) being discussed that would have required an extra roster spot.
On a more serious note, Seth Stohs reported yesterday that Wilson Ramos injured his knee in Thursday's game in Venezuela. I had noted when reviewing the boxscore that he was removed from the game in the bottom of the fourth inning after drawing a walk. He finished the game with a 1-1 night, a walk, double and 2 runs scored. So whatever the injury was either happened on a play at the plate or he ran the bases, scored and then was removed. I believe that Ramos is a Top 10 prospect and I don't mean in the Twins organization, rather, in all of baseball. He was hitting better than anyone in the VWL (.403/.460/.766 with a league high 6 home runs and 23 RBI in 77 at bats) and getting him healthy for spring training is the most important concern the Twins have this winter....well, maybe second most important behind signing another catcher to a contract extension!
7 comments | 2 recs
Saturday Morning Poll: How Do You Feel Now?
by Jesse on Nov 7, 2009 5:47 AM EST
in Quick Hits
57 comments
Happy? Sad? Hung-over?
After yesterday morning's blockbuster trade that sent Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for J.J. Hardy, we had a pretty extensive conversation on not just the merits of both players but also the fall-out for both teams.
But now that you've had a night to think about it, how do you feel? Are you (like me) still happy that Hardy is the new Snoopy? Or are a little broken up over losing Captain Zoom?
57 comments | 0 recs |
The Hosken Powell Memorial Offseason/Hot Stove Linkdump
by RandBall's Stu on Nov 6, 2009 9:00 PM EST
in News
4 comments
Item: Big League Stew (no relation) gives the Twins the early edge in the Hardy/Gomez swap.
Nobody asked me, but: I will miss Gomez's defense and remarkable speed. I will not miss his craptacular at-bats and .623 OPS.
Item: Pat Neshek's rehab is an ocean of positivity.
Nobody asked me, but: if I may put on my Captain Obvious hat for a minute, a healthy, effective Neshek would be gigantic for 2010. In a winter where the team needs to/had better address other areas of the team, upgrading the bullpen via trade or free agency seems unlikely.
Item: Cuddyer is priority #1 for Twins. The club has until Monday to pick up his $10.5 million option for 2011 or buy him out for $1 million.
Nobody asked me, but: of course they're going to do pick up his option, and they should. He does magic tricks, for pity's sake! Cuddy-haters, unload on me in comments, but be advised that I will be forwarding your e-mail addresses to Howard Sinker.
Item: autographed Nick Punto jerseys among the items for sale at tomorrow's Metrodome rummage sale.
Nobody asked me, but: all purchasers must show sufficient grit, hustle and moxie in order to acquire the jerseys. If you see Scott Ullger telling you not to buy it, KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN AND GO RIGHT PAST HIM. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? /still bitter
4 comments | 4 recs
What was your favorite Orlando Cabrera moment?
If I'm reading Doogie's tweet correctly, Bill Smith spoke w/O-Cab this AM and they're moving on. Given the trade, this shouldn't surprise.
1 day ago
RandBall's Stu
43 comments
0 recs
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AL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota
|
87 | 76 | .533 | 0 | Lost 3 |
|
Detroit
|
86 | 77 | .527 | 1 | Lost 1 |
|
Chicago
|
79 | 83 | .487 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Kansas City
|
65 | 97 | .401 | 21.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Cleveland
|
65 | 97 | .401 | 21.5 | Lost 5 |
(updated 11.8.2009 at 5:36 AM EST)
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