2010 Free Agents

by montanatwinsfan on Nov 3, 2009 7:19 PM EST Comment 98 comments

Given all of the speculation regarding Iwamura today, I thought I would lay out the free agents for people to see. Here are the players up for free agency in 2010 according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.

A = type A free agent; B = type B free agent; *means club option

Second Basemen
Marlon Anderson NYM
Ron Belliard LAD (B)
Jamey Carroll CLE
David Eckstein SD
Orlando Hudson LAD (A)
Akinori Iwamura * TB
Omar Infante ATL
Felipe Lopez MIL (A)
Mark Loretta LAD
Placido Polanco DET (A)
Freddy Sanchez * SF (A)

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera MIN (A)
Juan Castro LAD
Alex Cora NYM
Bobby Crosby OAK
Adam Everett DET
Alex Gonzalez * BOS
Khalil Greene STL
Ramon Martinez LAD
John McDonald TOR
Marco Scutaro TOR (A)
Miguel Tejada HOU
Jack Wilson * SEA

Third Basemen
Adrian Beltre SEA (B)
Geoff Blum HOU
Craig Counsell MIL
Joe Crede MIN
Mark DeRosa STL (B)
Pedro Feliz * PHI
Chone Figgins LAA (B)
Troy Glaus STL (A)
Jerry Hairston NYY (B)
Mike Lamb MIL
Melvin Mora * BAL (B)
Juan Uribe SF

Starting Pitchers
Brandon Backe HOU
Josh Beckett * BOS
Erik Bedard SEA (B)
Daniel Cabrera ARZ
Bartolo Colon CWS
Jose Contreras COL
Doug Davis ARZ (B)
Justin Duchscherer OAK (B)
Adam Eaton COL
Kelvim Escobar LAA
Jon Garland * LAD (B)
Tom Glavine ATL
Mike Hampton HOU
Rich Harden CHC (B)
Livan Hernandez WAS
Tim Hudson * ATL
Randy Johnson SF (B)
John Lackey LAA (A)
Cliff Lee * PHI (A)
Braden Looper * MIL (B)
Jason Marquis COL (B)
Kevin Millwood * TEX
Brett Myers PHI
Vicente Padilla * LAD (B)
Carl Pavano MIN (B)
Brad Penny SF
Odalis Perez WAS
Andy Pettitte NYY (B)
Joel Pineiro STL (B)
Sidney Ponson KC
Jason Schmidt LAD
John Smoltz STL
Tim Wakefield * BOS (B)
Jarrod Washburn DET
Brandon Webb * ARZ (B)
Todd Wellemeyer STL
Randy Wolf (A)

Since the list itself is a little dull, how about I spice it up with a question. What are the chances we could pry Omar Infante from the Braves as our second baseman? He's not a type B player, but has a career hitting line that isn't too bad for a 2nd baseman ( .264 .310 .391 .701 ) and still has good defense. Those offensive numbers aren't great, but then again he's only 27 and the average for his last three seasons is about .285 .340 .390 .730. Not bad. His 2009 contract was 1.85 million.

0 recs | Comment 98 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

If 2B/3B/RF Mark DeRosa

could be had at or less than Michael Cuddyer Money

that could be an interesting move for us

we could trade or at least entertain the idea of trading Cuddy….( I know it hurts)

DeRosa could take over at 2b/RF for Casilla and Cuddy and whoever else….
also if Valencia didn’t make it as our 3B (I could see that happening for at least first first-half of 2010)
than in turn we could full time DeRosa at 3B.

Lets say a 2yr contract at about 7 Mill per year with maybe an option for 2012 would be pretty sweet IMO.

Also I say Do NOT bring back O-Cab

but entertain the idea of bring back Carl Pavano – and if not carl
I feel strongly the Twins will at least attempt to re-sign Carl
than monitor: Ben Sheets, Tim Hudson, Eric Bedar?, Rich Harden? , Jarrod Washburn (hes at least good for 1st half)
a few others……..

Melvin Mora (type B) wouldn’t be horrible either but only on a 1 year deal…….

of course, if we Re-Sign the Great Joe Mauer than a lot of this becomes nill.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 3, 2009 8:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why no O-Cab?

I ask as an outsider who hasn’t seen him all that much.

by Salty on Nov 4, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

getting old

UZR 150 says his defense went from top 5 in 2008 to bottom 5 in 2009 for Starting Short-stops around the league

I’d rather bring back Adam Everett….

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 4, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Everett?

I think you forgot the sarcasm font.
Maybe it makes sense from a sabermatrix POV, but I don’t miss him.

"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 4, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok i was joking about Everett

but seriously I will enjoy J.J. Hardy, as long as he can keep his OB% above .310

with like a .250-.270 average…..

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 6, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

UZR

UZR is unstable in 1 year samples. It would be better to use career UZR, or a weighted average of the past 3 years with regression to a scouting report. This method gives Cabrera a true talent of +1 going forward. Agreed he was bad in 09, but his good 08 and 07 shouldn’t be ignored. Anyone know anything about his hamstring injury?

Here’s the link to the discussion over at The Book blog. http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/teixeira_take_2/

by Jon Kammerer on Nov 4, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The guys I'm interested in

are Hudson, though he’s type A (which might actually keep his price down), maybe Polanco, maybe Beltre or Crede or DeRosa. None of the shortstops do much for me, would rather try to trade for someone. Figgins would be nice, though there will be many teams interested is my guess. And I cannot understand why he isn’t a type A guy.

The temptation with the pitchers is to sign a talented injury risk—Harden or Sheets or someone, as opposed to just adding to the collection of average to below average guys the team already has. I have essentially no interest in Carl Pavano for a full season.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 3, 2009 8:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No Type A free agents, please

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 5, 2009 12:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why not?

This actually makes me nuts. I know they aren’t going to sign type A guys every year, and maybe Hudson isn’t the right guy.

But occasionally signing a type A guy isn’t going to kill them or their development plans. They signed some high profile amateur free agents, losing the 22nd pick in a draft once in a while is not the end of the world. There are plenty of seasons where they acquire extra picks.

Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, Span, Cuddyer, Nathan…you have group of prime guys that you need to try to win with. Sometimes being patient isn’t the right move.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 5, 2009 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I could se it for a front-line starting pitcher, but not for a middling middle infielder

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 5, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

if they are going to lose their draft pick, I would rather it was on a “Tim Lincecum” type pitcher. Hudson is a great player, but he is getting old, and being a second baseman, after 30 years old, they generally start to plummet.

If Yunel Escobar was a free agent, I would not hesitate to sign him, even at the cost of a draft pick. Yunel is young with great tools (best SS in the NL). A 22nd pick would not matter, especially since it takes about 4-5 years for them to crack ML, if you are trying to win. Escobar would be a player I would not hesitate to sign if he was a type A free agent. Second baseman I would be more hesitant on, since they generally drop off the plateau quickly after 30.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 5, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Except

those top-end guys aren’t available to them for money reasons. The point is, some of the type As will be in their price range, at least if last off-season is any indication. My feeling is that they should not let the loss of the pick stop them if there is a guy they can afford that could really help them, like an infielder.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 5, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For the right guy, maybe

The problem with infielders is they wear out easy. So lets say you get Hudson and give up a first-round draft choice. Then he wears out on you and you’re left with nothing.

If they give up that kind of talent, they should get someone in their mid-20s.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 5, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But nobody becomes a free agent in their mid-20s

It seems to me that if you can get a free agent cheap (partly because they are type A), as we saw happen to several players last off-season, there’s reason to consider that player, even if he’s only going to help you for one or two years. Flags fly forever, and I am not suggesting they do this every year. Maybe this isn’t the year, but I don’t want to see this dismissed.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 5, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I'm saying

Type A free agents should be a last resort, after you exhaust all attempts to acquire a guy in his mid 20s (ahem, Hardy). So you trade, say, Perkins and Gutierrez (two former first rounders) for Hardy. That is fair deal. But to give up the equivalent of Gutierrez for Hudson is not a fair deal for the Twins.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 5, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I don’t disagree to the extent that I would like them to get Hardy. I’m not sure I agree with the other part (and I’m not sure why you can’t do both). If you said: you can have Hudson for the next 2 years at the cost of $10 million and Carlos Gutierrez’ first 6 years (also about $10 million, probably), I think I would take Hudson.

I want to see aggressive exploration of all avenues to get better. Don’t waste your topline talent (Mauer, etc).

by Eric in Madison on Nov 5, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Being a former first round pitcher doesn’t always carry much weight. If Perkins is basically a bottom of the rotation wild card, then he doesn’t have much value. If he’s a #3 or even a #2 and the Brewers think he could be that, its totally different. Gutierrez is an A ball pitcher who had TJ surgery.

by Salty on Nov 6, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You have no idea how much value these guys have

And your guesses tend to undervalue Twins players and undervalue acquisition targets. Both Perkins and Gutierrez have enjoyed stints on BAs top 100 list. So apparently, at least one authority thought they had more upside than you do.

But it’s a waste of time to speculate on how the Brewers evaluate players. So I’ll stop.

Anyway, you didn’t get the point. The players I mention are just place holders to explain a general philosophy: It’s better to trade for players before their prime than to sign them after their prime if the compensation is comparable. The reason I chose the players I did is they’re representative of the kind of talent you give up when you sign Type A free agents.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 6, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know what guesses you're talking about

The Brewers have former first round picks who have had stints on BA’s top 100. They’re not worth much.

How many injuries has Perkins had? How well did he perform in the majors? What is the story with his issues with the team? If he truly is a middle of the rotation starter, the Twins would keep him.

If he isn’t traded for Hardy, do you think he can bring back anyone good? Do you really think he’ll net a starting position player?

by Salty on Nov 6, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Moot

Gomez for Hardy.

He’s 18-11 with a 4.5 ERA in the majors, He’s left handed and throws 95 with a plus change. He’ll bring someone in return, at least in a package deal.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 6, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Perkins Velo

88-91 from what I’ve seen.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Nov 6, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The value of draft picks

So you trade, say, Perkins and Gutierrez (two former first rounders) for Hardy. That is fair deal. But to give up the equivalent of Gutierrez for Hudson is not a fair deal for the Twins.

But wouldn’t you trade Perkins for Hudson? You can’t just pick a first-rounder that looks like he’ll be great (which, by the way, we don’t really know yet) and use him as the baseline – it’s a simple fact that lots of first-rounders, especially outside the top half of the first round, don’t pan out. It’s certainly open to debate whether Hudson is worth taking that risk, but it’s not as open-and-shut as you’re making it sound.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Nov 6, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

Just my opinion, really. One thing, though: It’s also the Twins opinion.

Last year, Bill Smith said he would “not consider signing a Type A free agent, period.” That quote related to a direct question about signing Hudson.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 6, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, I picked two underperforming former first rounders

I wouldn’t trade Garza or Revere or Hicks or Gibson for Hudson. I would trade Moses or Perkins or Plouffe or Parmelee or Gutierrez for him. Given the Twins’ track record, you have about a 45% chance of losing if you sign a Type A. Since Jackson ran the draft it’s more like 75%.

When you, in essence, trade a first rounder for a player, you’re trading the potential to get a front-line player for six years for a guy who’s a sure thing front-line player for two or three years. The risk/benefit analysis depends on the player. O-Hud is on the bubble for me, as is Polanco.

I suppose I could see it if he’s the one player to get you over the hump. When we had three infield holes and hole in the rotation to fill, I wasn’t as eager to give up a first rounder for either of those guys. But with the addition of Hardy, it looks better. If we can get a pitcher, it starts to look like a team where win-now is the right approach for this year. In that case, having Polanco or Hudson in that 2 hole and getting to more balls up the middle might be worth a first rounder.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 6, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Type A free agents

We have no idea who will or won’t be Type A free agents at this point. We have the probable designations but the players have to be offered arbitration for the draft pick compensation to go into effect. Hudson might not be offered arbitration. He made 8M and would likely get a raise. The dodgers may not want to risk it.

by Jon Kammerer on Nov 5, 2009 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Over the last five years, teams have offered arbitration like 90% of the time

The benefits are too great not to. And the risks are not that great. If the player accepts, you’ve got a Type A for market rates for a year, which is a relative bargain. In that year, you can either trade him or get picks for him the next year. There really is not much downside to offering arbitration. Even a team like the Twins have offered arbitration to all of their Type A free agents since 2004: Guardado, Hawkins, Koskie, and Hunter.

Most players in the Type A class decline arbitration so they can test free agency and get a multiyear deal. If so, the team gets two high draft picks. I think you can assume if a player is a Type A, he will be offered arbitration and will decline it.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 5, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

2008 players not offered arbitration

Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Kerry Wood, Randy Wolf were not offered arbitration last year. The agents for Orlando Cabrera, Orlando Hudson, Juan Cruz and Jason Varitek wish they would have accepted arbitration last year. I agree the stars who are type A will all decline. Players like Polanco and Hudson will likely be better off accepting an arbitration offer as type A free agents.

by Jon Kammerer on Nov 5, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

there

is no way Orlando would accept it the way he was treated in LA.

by Milt on Tilt on Nov 5, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s hard to know what Hudson or the Dodgers will do. If you were treated poorly by your employer but could make a guaranteed $10M, would you stay? What if your other offer was for $3.5M with incentives? Would the Dodgers offer $10M to a player Torre benched for the playoffs if there was even a small chance he would take it? My point is that the issue is complex and we won’t know for sure until the deadline to offer arbitration.

by Jon Kammerer on Nov 5, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kelly Johnson

Could Kelly Johnson for Jesse Crain work? Both are non-tender candidates. Fills needs for both teams.

by Jon Kammerer on Nov 3, 2009 9:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Braves fan here

1. I think I would do that deal as that is the type of return we could expect for KJ. Crain has a nice K rate but the walks are a bit worrisome. But like you said a KJ/Crain swap would fill needs on both teams.

2. Omar Infante wont be traded. He is one of those super utility guys that all NL teams need to be successful over the course of the season. With Prado installed at 2B and KJ on his way out he is our only utilty guy and only solid backup at SS and CF not to mention being able to play every other spot except for C. I’m not saying he’s untouchable but he has more value to us than to any AL team or to any team who wants him as a starter. He doesn’t have much pop left and he would likely get exposed agaist RHP over a full season of starting.

3. However, I don’ t see this happeing, if the Braves were to pick up Uggla as our RH power bat Prado could become available. How we would match up trade wise isn’t very clear as Prado isn’t worth a Hicks or Cuddyer but is worth more than some fringe prospects.

by bbxxj on Nov 4, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still on the Jamey Carroll bandwagon,

if we’re talking about FA second basemen. He the best of the group that wouldn’t cost a draft pick, and I’m not a fan of Ronny Belliard.

by Jesse on Nov 4, 2009 7:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Alright, I'd buy that.

I was looking at Infante because he has been replaced on the Braves roster by younger guys this year and thus Atlanta might not offer him much. But looking at Carroll, I’d have to say that he is in the same position and the Twins might actually be able to afford him.

by montanatwinsfan on Nov 4, 2009 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is Infante on your FA list? He is signed through next year with an ‘11 option. Plus he hasn’t been replaced.

by bbxxj on Nov 4, 2009 11:44 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Not realy his fault

montanatwinsfan just pasted the list from Cot’s Contracts – I checked, and it’s there, too, although they have the status you listed on the Braves page.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Nov 4, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, makes sense. Wasn’t try to be an ass, just clearing things up.

by bbxxj on Nov 4, 2009 8:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

+1

He’s a Twins kind of pick up: Under the radar, versatile, humble, solid, scrappy, battles his tail off.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 4, 2009 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jamey Carroll?

What is the difference between Jamey Carroll and Nick Punto except Carroll is older and can’t play shortstop? Could we maybe, once, set out sights a bit higher than another utility guy?

by Eric in Madison on Nov 4, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

For some reason, he played well against the Twins (.341/.404./366), but otherwise, his OPS+ is 82 the last two years. So meh. He just fits the kind of guy the Twins have targeted in the past, ya know, like Jeff Cirillo—bargain-bin guys in their mid 30s who they can sign to minor league deals.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 4, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My sights are set higher.

I want Dan Uggla. But if we want to go for the old in free agency instead, then okay…Hudson and Lopez are the guys I prefer.

To be fair, Carroll has posted an OBP of .355 or better 3 of the last 4 years. He consistently hits for a decent average. He has very good plate discipline, takes walks, hits a ton of line drives…and who cares if he can’t play shortstop, he plays a pretty good second and third.

The difference between Carroll and the utility guys the Twins have a history of signing is that Carroll actually could improve the team.

by Jesse on Nov 4, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oops....old = gold.

by Jesse on Nov 4, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe an ironic typo

If the Twins actually do go for the old, rather than go for the gold, in free agents.

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Nov 4, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

On the other hand

His career OPS+ is 81, and it hasn’t been better recently. He’s never been an everyday player, and he’ll be 36 when next season starts. He really is not better than Nick Punto. It seems to me that that’s a reasonable standard for acquiring infielders: if he isn’t better than Nick Punto, lets just move on.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 4, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough.

But if the Twins do somehow end up with him, it won’t kill me. He’s the kind of guy who could be an insurance policy for Joe Crede or a platoon partner for Tolbert or Harris or whoever ends up at third. I agree he’s not an optimal choice, and the point about never being a full time player is a big deal.

by Jesse on Nov 4, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like it Jessseeeeeeeeee

how about\

Carlos Gomez
Alexi Casilla
Carlos Gutierrez
Francisco Liriano
and one of Perkins/ Swarzak/ Manship/ Duensing

to the Marlins

for Josh Johnson and Dan Uggla

I’d be extatic if we could land Johnson without having to give up 1 of Hicks, Revere, Ramos, even Valencia
(thinking back to the Sox, Yankees, Mets days with Johan Santana)

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 5, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cabrera

I’d note that despite being a Type A, Cabrera won’t require draft compensation, as the contract he signed with the A’s prohibited the team from offering him arbitration if he qualified as a Type A free agent. The Twins don’t get anything if he leaves.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Nov 4, 2009 9:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like Nick Punto

Nick Punto is not the twins biggest problem. He should/will be playing at 2B/SS next year. To improve the team we need somebody that projects to be better than Casilla/Harris/Tolbert. Casilla and Tolbert project to be worth 0.1 WAR at 2B next year using ZIPS and UZR, so a league average player would be a huge upgrade. Since Punto can play both positions a 2B or SS will work.

Hudson, Polanco, Belliard, Caroll, Lopez, Scutaro, Tejada, Wilson, Cabrera, Uribe, Johnson, Uggla, Hardy would all be 2+ win upgrades. I had suggested Kelly Johnson because I think the cost would be low, he’s got upside, will be team controlled for another year and is not a longterm commitment. But I’d be fine with any of the above.

by Jon Kammerer on Nov 4, 2009 4:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Which Punto will show up next year?

The Nick Punto who had the lowest OPS+ for a regular player in Twins history going into the all-star break or the Nick Punto who played decently down the stretch? That’s the problem with Punto. He’s a good player when he’s hot. He is a terrible player when he’s cold. And there ain’t a lot of in between.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 4, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

2009 Punto

2009 Punto was a terrible hitter, but a good defender. I don’t understand why people like Gomez but hate Punto. They are essentially the same, bad offense and good defense at an up the middle position. His OPS+ projects to be 76 in 2010 according to ZIPS. He is an average to below average major leaguer due to his plus defense. The Twins trotted out Casilla, Tolbert, and Harris out for large chunks of the season and got sub-replacement level production. Right now we have 2 of those 3 as projected starters. I see this as a much bigger problem than Nick Punto.

by Jon Kammerer on Nov 4, 2009 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The difference is, Punto makes the same kind of mistakes and he's been in the league for seven years

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 4, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Harden

I would go with our current inflield + Valencia if it meant Rich Harden was our opening starting pitcher

by clutterheart on Nov 4, 2009 10:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would go with

Punto at 2B, Hardy at SS, Harris/Tolbert/Valencia at 3B if it meant Rich Harden was our opening day starter.

Harden is a free agent, therefore, he will cost only money. Hardy, we will have to trade for, so he will cost players. Both can be had, both will improve our club. I would be ecstatic (as would Mauer/Morneau/Nathan) if the Twins signed Harden.

Harden
Baker
Slowey
Duensing
Blackburn

Morneau – 1B, Punto – 2B, Hardy – SS, Tolbert – 3B, Mauer – C = great offense (Morneau/Mauer/Hardy) + Great defense (all 5)

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 4, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hardy + Harden would be even better

An Ace starting pitcher not only only helps our Rotation, it will add depth to our Bullpen.
Hardy would be the iceing and with Harden we could trade a young pitcher and not feel the pain.

Man I hope it happens…it probally won’t. But I can hope.

by clutterheart on Nov 5, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Morneau

One thing he would like about Hardy is he throws a flat fastball and rarely puts it in the dirt.

by Salty on Nov 5, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yes Hardy

is top 5 defensive SS in the league…that is a huge plus! Furthermore, if Hardy can return to 07-08 form (I think this past season was just a fluke for him), he provides the Twins with a solid bat behind Span and in front of Mauer and Morneau.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 5, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really know where else to post this...

but as much as I said baseball was dead to me for this WS, I really wanted the Phillies to pull it off. Damnit, Yankees. :(

by fischean on Nov 4, 2009 11:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I didn't have a horse in this race

But the yanquis suck!

"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 5, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, pretty much.

I really didn’t want either team to win (oh, if only…), but the Yankees winning another? Gross gross gross. :(

by fischean on Nov 5, 2009 12:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’ll be interesting to see who they sign in the offseason. I could see them getting both Holliday and Lackey.

by Salty on Nov 5, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This guy disagrees with you

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Nov 5, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

-1(00000)

That guy probably wet his pants with excitement last night.

by fischean on Nov 5, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it.

He expected them to win. If they hadn’t, he’d be yelling, “Yo! Fire dat bum Girardi!” I’m sure he bought his replica WS ring today though.

"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 5, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Naturally...

I am so over the WS now. Baseball’s done, now it’s speculation and rumor time which is way more fun than watching the Yankees win anyway.

by fischean on Nov 5, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I saw this at the Pioneer Press

If the Twins can’t re-sign free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, it would be surprising if they don’t consider Milwaukee’s J.J. Hardy, who is expendable due to the emergence of Alcides Escobar. Lefty starter Glen Perkins would seem a likely bet to be included if there were an offer to the Brewers.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 5, 2009 2:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Charlie Walters reads our blog, I guess.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 5, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Can't" re-sign Cabrera?

That makes it sound like they really want to.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Nov 6, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well they cant now

unless they plan on putting either Hardy or Cabrera at 2B.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 6, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well.....

Come the days before spring training, the Twins could always re-sign Adam Everett!

Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!

by rosterman on Nov 5, 2009 3:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

lol

“Re-sign Adam Everett!”

"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 5, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and at the same time

lets re-sign Livan Hernandez and Mike Lamb!

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 5, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I want to puke when I hear the name Mike Lamb

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 5, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Lamb"

I get a twitch in my nether-region giddyup

by montanatwinsfan on Nov 5, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For those O-Hud Fans

How bad was he at the end of the season to be benched in favor of Ronnie Belliard?

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Nov 5, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He wasn't that bad

Belliard just got really hot and Torre got a bee in his bonnet. Hudson still started 21 games in September. It wasn’t his strongest month, but it wasn’t terrible. He posted a .354 OBP in September. Low BA that month, though.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 5, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would let Crede, Buscher, and Harris sign elsewhere,

and sign Doug Mientkiewicz to be the backup 3B/1B for Valencia and Morneau.

by benhertz on Nov 6, 2009 5:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Now this would be a dynamite bench/bat 1B/3B backup option. Really.

Would still like to see if the Twins can pull off anotehr trade. They have players to trade. 40-man guys like Harris, Perkins, Crain and Pridie who they MIGHT just cut loose. They have minor league guys they CAN’T protect…its a numbers game. They have future prospects that may be left behind as other progress. The team has lots of abrgaining chips, they really do. And more depth than you can shake a stick at.

I mean, no way they need to protect Plouffe, Harris, Tolbert not to mention Tolleson, Singleton, Dinkelman, Gardenhire…even Casilla fits into this mix. You need to keep only one on the 40-man and anotehr as a bakcup (Toby ain’t going anywhere and can be a bench body in an emergency, make dad gloriously happy). Plus, there’s mroe spare parts where these guys come from on just the waiver wire. Makes me cringe that the TWINS are paying Punto $4 mill.

Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!

by rosterman on Nov 7, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OK Cot apparently didn't do me any favors as he/they don't keep their list updated.

So here are the pertinent 2010 free agents regularly updated from mlbtraderumors.com :

Second basemen
Ronnie Belliard (35) – Type B
Jamey Carroll (36)
Alex Cora (34)
Craig Counsell (39)
Mark DeRosa (35) – Type B
Jerry Hairston Jr. (34) – Type B
Orlando Hudson (32) – Type A
Adam Kennedy (34)
Felipe Lopez (30) – Type B
Mark Loretta (38)
Pablo Ozuna (35)
Placido Polanco (34) – Type A
Luis Rodriguez (30)
Juan Uribe (31)

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (35) – Type A, can’t be offered arbitration
Juan Castro (38)
Alex Cora (34)
Craig Counsell (39)
Bobby Crosby (30)
Adam Everett (33)
Chris Gomez (39)
Alex Gonzalez (32) – $6MM mutual option with a $500K buyout
Khalil Greene (30)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (34) – Type B
John McDonald (35)
Luis Rodriguez (30)
Marco Scutaro (34) – Type A
Miguel Tejada (36) – Type A
Omar Vizquel (43)
Jack Wilson (32) – $8.4MM club option with a $600K buyout

Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (38)
Brian Barden (29)
Adrian Beltre (31) – Type B
Wilson Betemit (28)
Aaron Boone (37)
Craig Counsell (39)
Joe Crede (32)
Bobby Crosby (30)
Mark DeRosa (35) – Type B
Pedro Feliz (35) – $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Chone Figgins (32) – Type B
Nomar Garciaparra (36)
Troy Glaus (33) – Type B
Adam Kennedy (34)
Mike Lamb (34)
Mark Loretta (38)
Melvin Mora (38) – Type B
Pablo Ozuna (35)
Robb Quinlan (33)
Miguel Tejada (36) – Type A
Juan Uribe (31)

by montanatwinsfan on Nov 6, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lopez is a "B"

This isn’t official. He’s right on the cutoff so it actually won’t be known until the ratings are released.

by DJL44 on Nov 6, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Need a 5th outfielder

Endy Chavez (32)
Coco Crisp (30)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (34) – Type B
Reed Johnson (33)
Corey Patterson (30)
Scott Podsednik (34)
DeWayne Wise (32)

by DJL44 on Nov 6, 2009 1:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

do we really need

another 5th outfielder? Sure, I can see the luxury, but do we really need one. Crisp would be nice, but now the Twins have finally figured out a way to not have 5 outfielders on the roster and now people want 5 outfielders?

If one gets hurt, then Martin, etc. is a phone call away. Kubel, Delmon, Span, Cuddyer…4 outfielders…Kubel/Delmon share DH duties.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 6, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes we do

Otherwise you’re moving Revere up to the majors if Span goes on the DL.

by DJL44 on Nov 6, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

I guess technically Delmon and Kubel both qualify as “outfielders.”

by Mike I on Nov 6, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bump

It appears we need a 4th OF now. Wise would be the cheapest. Chavez would make sense.

by Milt on Tilt on Nov 6, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They're kinda in order of desirability

Crisp is probably going to want to start somewhere. Hairston can fake 2B/3B. Anything below Reed Johnson, I’d rather keep looking. There may be non-tender candidates also.

by DJL44 on Nov 6, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs