Links of Note: Johnson, Uggla, Wuertz, Sanchez

by Jesse on Jul 28, 2009 9:59 AM EDT in News

A batch of links to help you keep up to date on the latest Twins-related information...or at least on the latest on available players at positions of need.

In Atlanta, second baseman Kelly Johnson is currently riding the bench. He's not a clear upgrade, since his defense hasn't been great and his offense has fallen since his breakout in 2007, but if Minnesota wants a change-of-pace they might be able to convince the Braves to make a swap. They'd be buying low.

Kelly Johnson

#2 / Second Base / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Bats: L

Throws: R

Born: Feb 22, 1982

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Kelly Johnson	71	239	36	54	17	2	6	22	22	41	5	2	.226	.298	.389

The Miami Herald speculates that the Marlins are entertaining trading Dan Uggla (not very good defense at second base, but that offense is still an improvement). 126 doubles, 117 homers and counting in less than four major league seasons.

Dan Uggla

#6 / Second Base / Florida Marlins

Height: 5-11

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Mar 11, 1980

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Dan Uggla	96	341	45	78	14	1	17	52	53	86	1	0	.229	.338	.425

The LA Times hears that the Athletics pulled Michael Wuertz "off the table" for any deals as of Monday.
In regards to Freddy Sanchez, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes the Pirates could be open to taking on part of his 2010 option; not just to avoid the "salary dump" appearance of such a deal, but to make a swap more appealing to a larger number of clubs.

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In addition to being a Twins fan, I’m also a pretty big Braves fan, and I love Kelly Johnson. There’s a general agreement among Braves fans that Terry Pendleton, Atlanta’s hitting coach, sucks. The team really seems to emphasize aggresiveness. Early on (back when he was good), KJ used to take a ton of pitches. Then he gives some quotes talking about how they want him to be more aggressive. He starts swinging at more pitches, and he starts sucking. I would seriously love to get him over here and put him in the same dugout as Mauer though.

The only problems are: one, he’s left handed. Two, I don’t really know what the Braves would want. They don’t really have any glaring holes. They’re not a great teams by any means, but there’s a whole lot of adequicivity. Kelly Johnson isn’t valuable enough right now to bring back anybody who’s an upgrade to them. The only place they might need an upgrade is a back-up middle infielder, but they seem pretty happy with Hernandez.

But KJ for Casilla? Casilla’s cheaper since KJ is in his first arb. season, but Casilla sucks and pretty much always has, whereas KJ used to be pretty good. Casilla can also, supposedly, play SS, which KJ can’t, so he’d make a decent back-up option.

I’m pretty biased. Like I said, I love KJ, so I might be blind to a genuine change in talent level, and you probably shouldn’t take my word as gospel. But he’s probably my favorite current Brave, so it’s crushing me to see him benched. The Twins trading for KJ and then starting him would make me very happy.

by OldDutchPots on Jul 28, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions