Twins 2009-2010 Offseason

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 20, 2009 5:43 PM EDT

I for one have given up all hope on the 2009 campaign. It was a waste of perhaps the greatest season by a catcher, ever (until Joe's 2010 season). What can, and should, be done to this team in the coming offseason?

I went through a list of upcoming Free Agents this offseason that I could potentially see moving teams to see just where the Twins could improve if the Pohlads pumped some money into the payroll. I'll put them into three groups, IF, SP, and RP.

IF:

Orlando Hudson (A), Felipe Lopez, Placido Polanco, Marco Scutaro(A), Miguel Tejada(A), Orlando Cabrera, Adrian Beltre, Chone Figgins(A)

Some intriguing names for sure. I think the Twins are content at 3B thinking Valencia will be ready which I have no problems with. But what about upgrades at SS and 2B?

SP:

John Lackey(A), Rich Harden(A), Erik Bedard, Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro, Justin Duchscherer, Doug Davis, Jarrod Washburn, Brett Myers, Jason Marquis

I think Lackey is out of the Twin's price range as he'll receive a Burnett type deal, probably even with the Angels. But what about the next three, Harden-Bedard-Sheets, all injury risk high reward pitchers. A fair base salary heavy on incentives would be very beneficial to both parties.

RP:

Mike Gonzalez, Kevin Gregg, Fernando Rodney, Rafael Soriano, Jose Valverde, many many others

Valverde will probably go to a team that he can close, but are there any relievers that you would like to see added to the squad for 2010?

What about aside from Free Agents? Do you trade Delmon or Cuddyer for a reliever or middle infielder? Do you try to trade for J.J. Hardy? Is it even possible to trade for Hardy knowing that the Twins farm system is incredibly weak?

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personally

I would be tickled pink if the Twins did something along the lines of a 2yr/15M deal for Scutaro and a 3yr/30M deal for Hudson. Would this be enough? I’m not sure, but I’m guessing it will be in the neighborhood.

Following that, sign Ben Sheets to a 2yr/10M deal w/20M in incentives. Not sure if that’s reasonable as he’s been out of baseball for a year. If not, why not a 3 year 25M deal?

You not only have to improve the team, you have to show Joe Mauer that you are improving the team for a championship run. If you don’t he’s a lot less likely to re-up. With these changes, the 2010 and 2011 payroll look to be around $100 Million. Seems reasonable to me, but probably not the Pohlads.

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 20, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Would love to see it but doubt we will

Question, though: Why has no one signed Sheets this year? Has he been injured or is there another reason teams are staying away from this guy, who is arguably a true ace when healthy?

by Sheldon on Aug 21, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Health

He actually signed a deal before the season with the Rangers pending a physical, but he failed.

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 21, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

This offseason will play out like last offseason

Hudson won’t get $30M, more like 2 years $12M. The Twins will wait around until everyone other team has filled a need and grab a starting pitcher, middle reliever and a middle infielder on the cheap in Februrary. They might re-sign Cabrera in their exclusive negotiating period because they don’t have to give up a draft pick for him.

by DJL44 on Aug 21, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

to be fair

Hudson is probably going to get all of his incentives and make $9 Million. The $3.5 Million base is deceiving.

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 21, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

2 upgrades

I say get one solid middle infielder that can be a top of the order bat. I’m not concerned if one of our middle infielders is manned by a combo of Harris/Punto/Casilla/Tolleson/Tolbert as long as the other has a consistent obp type guy to bat 2 in front of the big bats.

However, I still think our top priority needs to be starting pitching. For the second year in a row the Twins biggest strength going in has turned into it’s biggest weakness (rp last year). I’d really like the Twins to make a run at at least one or even both of Bedard/Sheets. If you only sign one of them then consider making a deal for someone. I really think the only pitching upgrade should be one for an ace. The Twins have enough middle of the rotation arms but no top end “ace” talent. I don’t see the need to go after a guy like Washburn, Myers, etc. I only see the need to go for a guy who can be a stopper and lead the rotation.

As far as RP goes, I’m really not concerned. We’ve got a lot of guys very close to the bigs and one or two of them should pan out. That and the combination of Neshek returning from injury I think our bullpen will be in good shape. Nathan, Mijares, Neshek, Guerrier, Slama, Delaney, possibly Bonser, or Van Mil could even make the jump if they think he’s ready. There’s also the chance that Morillo gets it together by next season. Do we retain rights on him if we leave him in AAA?

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Aug 20, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

You and I are on the same page

Leave the bullpen be. It will correct itself.

Noteworthy is that Bedard is expected to miss at least the first month of the 2010 season. So between Bedard and Sheets you got two ace quality guys, one who can’t stay healthy and is going to miss significant time already, and one who can’t stay healthy and missed all of 2009. Pick your poison I guess.

Is it out of reach to sign Harden? What kind of deal is he going to get? 5 years, 65 Million?

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 20, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

(A)

I assume the (A) means that the player will likely be a Type A free agent, right? In that case, the Twins’ crappiness this year might be a slight boon – they wouldn’t have to give up their first-rounder if they’re in the bottom half of the league (first 15 picks of the draft).

"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 Aug 21, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

you correct in your assumptions

so what is the procedure if they are pick 1-15? do they give up their second rounder then?

Furthermore, is there penalty for signing more than 1 Type A? Lets say the twins were to have pick 1-15 and sign two pick As, what would be the loss?

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 21, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

never mind

I researched my own question and came up with the answer. Saying the Twins were to fall in picks 1-15, and sign two Type As that were offered and turned down arbitration, the Twins would lose their 2nd and 3rd round picks.

To me this seems like a great deal since you get to keep your first rounder.

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 21, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Another question.....

Will the Twins offer arbitration to Crede?

Does it matter if they offer arbitration to Cabrera (they can’t, right?) or Pavano?

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

by rosterman on Aug 21, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

according the MLBTR

neither of these guys are type Bs. Although Pavano just misses the cut for type B status.

by Milt on Tilt on Aug 21, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

Cot’s Contracts implies that the “no arbitration” clause in Cabrera’s contract only applies if he’s a Type A – it may be possible to offer him arbitration if he makes Type B and either get him back or get a sandwich pick. He’d probably be overpaid through arbitration, though.

"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 Aug 21, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone will certainly sign Crede

It won’t be the Twins. Twice a week your bench is short because he’s got something nagging him. There is no way a manager willingly agrees to successive seasons of that crap.

Bloggin' the bloggers since 1938.

by Johnny Safron on Aug 24, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions