Morales Makes the Major League Roster, Mijares Doesn't

by Tony_O on Mar 31, 2009 11:07 AM EDT

From our good friend Lavelle E Neal III at the Star Tribune.

Catcher Jose Morales was told this morning that he will begin the season with the major league club. He began having flashbacks to events over the past couple of years, debuting in Chicago, injuring his ankle, trying to play on a bad ankle last year before having season-ending surgery.

“Then I started crying,” he said.

Two weeks ago, Drew Butera looked to have the edge to be on the Opening Day roster, as he was stronger defensively (which goes a long way with the pitching staff). But Morales made up enough ground since then to get the nod. He’s a switch-hitter with a good bat, which is a plus.

“We had a very, very tough decision on this one,” Twins general manager Bill Smith said. “Both Drew Butera and Jose Morales have played very well this year. Ultimately, Morales is an offensive catcher. Butera is a very good defensive catcher. And I think Jose has had a little more experience. He’s played at triple-A. We wanted to give him this chance.

“He’s a good fit with Mike Redmond. And Morales has improved his catching a lot during this spring training. The coaching staff has talked to him about cleaning up his catching and he’s worked very hard at it.”

Lefthnader Jose Mijares was cut from camp this morning after showing up overweight and posting a 9.90 ERA. Mirares told the media that he would be back in June, but Smith said he told Mijares to get ready as soon as he can because the Twins have frequently made mid-April pitching call ups.

In addition to Mijares and Butera, infielder Alejandro Machado also has been cut. Catcher Jeff Christy has been told he wil stick around until Saturday.

Was told that the decision on the final bullpen spot will be made soon, but the decision on the final backup infield spot could come down to the last day.

http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/?location_refer=Homepage:PromoScroller:Blogs

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Good Choice

Ultimately, it’s nice to have that extra bat off the bench. Which was always the plus having Redmond as a back-up catcher (although Gardy hates to lose a backstop as a pinch-hitter).

Congrats to Morales. Let’s hope he can bang out many consecutive hits to keep his batting average perfect!

Looking at Dickey and Humber to go north. If the Twins want to bring in Mijares, he could replace either in a month or so.

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

by rosterman on Mar 31, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

Fanshot

Please use the fanshot function for longer direct quotes. And please don’t quote a large chunk of copy: just paraphrase except for a line or two. Copyrights and all that.

I wonder if they are trying to work out a trade for Brendan Harris. Gardy has stated his preference for Tolbert, but the organization can’t just let Harris go. He’s a valuable bench guy. I’ll bet he has trade value, which can only go up until opening day, as more clubs assess their needs and determine that he’d be a good fit for their benches.

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

by cmathewson on Mar 31, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

+1

Its great to let everyone know the article is out there, and what it discusses. Still, its very little to ask that we all click on the link and get stuck minimizing one of those advertising shots that covers the screen, in return for free journalism.

by snolls on Mar 31, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope Harris isn't traded

I like his hitting and I don’t think his defense is that bad. I was actually fine with a Harris / Buscher platoon and was curious how it would do.

If the Twins do trade Harris, I hope they get something back that the team can use now and not 3 years from now.

by caluofmn on Mar 31, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Morales...

…won’t be a bat off the bench, no way will Gardy be without a catcher sitting there in case of an injury.

I agree CMath, but have a feeling that Tolbert will go down until their first injury anywhere except catcher. With several infielders close to being ready (next 12 months), gotta believe that they are trying to move Harris.

Found the comment Smith made to Mijares interesting, ie, plan to be back before June. So later this week Christy gets sent down and they decide which 2 of 3 pitchers (Humber, Duensing, Dickey) they keep. Expect it will be Dickey headed to Rochester.

Intersting lineup today…Parmalee in right and Moses at DH.

by roger13 on Mar 31, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder if Moses is having a good spring

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

by cmathewson on Mar 31, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

In the end

the Twins are the ultimate “organization” organization. Morales has put his time in. He’s caught for a year (or so) at AAA. He’s paid dues. You don’t get to that point in the Twins organization without being able to do “the little things” and “clean up” your catching routine. Methinks the Butera thing was a Strib attempt to find something to write about besides the silence of Joe Mauer.

I hear Gardy calls Morales “Mo”. If he abbreviate his first name in the same fashion as well, we could be in for some trouble with the ACLU.

As for Mijares, the Twins do not want to reward sloth and indolence, let alone throw out performance in ST in filling their bullpen. The kid is out of synch.

You teach everyone in your organization by how you treat individuals in the organization. The Twins keep a broad eye out to do things that are best for everyone concerned, but especially the continuity of their organization organization.

by Old Twins Cap on Mar 31, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

One more

And one more piece of the puzzle falls into place. Gret for this kid, but to be honest, I hope he’s back in AAA soon and the chairman is catching Kevin Slowey changeups again soon.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane

by AdamOnFirst on Mar 31, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

What about the Last Bullpen Spot?

I’m interested in that decision…

when will they make it?

Is it Duensing, or Dickey or someone else? ahhh nevermind on that 3rd player….

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Mar 31, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

The broadcasters are saying Duensing

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

by cmathewson on Mar 31, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Lavelle said it should be soon

I’m on Dickey’s Side on this one…would be nice to have a knuckleballer pitch in the dome.

by Tony_O on Mar 31, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, all along I've been all for Duesning

But the last couple of days here or so I’m actually wanting R.A. Dickey More and MORE

is Knuckle ball is thrown hard compared to most knucklers like in the upper 70’s at times

and I think he can be quite affective…

also I was clamoring earlier about wanting and Gardy Likeing the 2 Lefties out of the ’pen
But the knuckler can face Right handed hitters at will anyways….

+ Duensing in a AAA Rotation to start the year off with Mulvey, Swarzak, and Jones
would be above Average in the IR league and Great for the Rochester Redwings!

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Mar 31, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions