You Have $5 Million: How Do You Spend It?
by Jesse on Jan 25, 2010 11:03 AM EST
in Speculation
90 comments
Just an exercise to see how you'd spend money that we know is available. How would you fill out the roster?
In the grand scheme of things, $5 million is a lot of money. As in, if the average household income in Minneapolis is still around $50,000, it's 100-years-to-make-that-much-money kind of money. But in baseball, $5 million isn't a lot of ching.
In can, however, still buy the Twins an upgrade or two.
Listed below are is a list of remaining free agents, along with an arbitrary salary for 2010. Would you add any of these options? Just remember that, no matter what you add, you can't exceed the $5 million limit.
Pitchers
| Player | 2010 Age | Offer |
| Erik Bedard | 31 |
-Out of
range- |
| Pedro Martinez | 38 | $4 MM |
| Ben Sheets | 31 | -Out of range- |
| Jarrod Washburn | 35 | $5 MM |
Second Basemen
| Player | 2010 Age | Offer |
| Ronnie Belliard | 35 | $800 K |
| Orlando Hudson | 32 | $5 MM |
| Felipe Lopez |
30 | $4 MM |
| Adam Kennedy | 34 | $1 MM |
| Orlando Cabrera | 35 | $3 MM |
Third Basemen
| Player | 2010 Age | Offer |
| Aaron Boone | 37 | Minor League |
| Joe Crede | 32 | $1.5 MM |
| Melvin Mora | 38 | $1.5 MM |
Outfielders
| Player | 2010 Age | Offer |
| Rocco Baldelli | 28 | $1 MM |
| Endy Chavez | 32 | $1 MM |
| Johnny Damon | 36 | -Out of range- |
| Jonny Gomes | 29 | Minor League |
| Rob Quinlan | 33 | Minor League |
| Randy Winn | 36 | $2.5 million |
Who do you pick?
0 recs |
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Comments
Avoid SPs
I would go for Felipe Lopez ($4 MM) and Joe Crede ($1.5 MM), total of $5.5 MM. If I could go slightly higher, I would definitely add Randy Winn ($2.5 MM) instead of Crede.
I really hope they do not choose to add a veteran SP since the available options would blow the entire $$ left available for someone not any better than our young guys vying for the 5th starter position. Plus there is a bigger hole at 2B than at SP in my opinion.
I'd have to say
Crede even though he is quite a bit injury prone. When he’s in there, he’s pretty damn good.
For 5 million...
I’d love to get O-Cab and Crede… Lineup in the field
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
O-Cab 2B
Crede 3B
JJ SS
Delmon RF
Span CF
Cuddy LF
Kubel DH
Then the lineup
Span
OCAB
Mauer
Morneau
Kubel
Cuddy
Delmon
Crede
JJ
Bench
Punto (just because you make the mistake of paying him 4mil a year, doesn’t mean you have to make the mistake of playing him full time)
Tolbert
Mojares (or other catcher if he is injured)
Harris
Rotation
Slowey
Baker
Povano
Blackburn
Duensing
Pen
Nathan
Mijares
Guerrier
Rauch
Condrey
Crain
Liriano
If Neshek comes back strong, then replace Crain. Still not sure why they tendered him a contract.
O-Cab
was not a very good player last year at his natural position, and he wasn’t a very good #2 hitter. Why would you want to sign him now a year older, move him to 2nd and put him back in between Span and Mauer?
For $4 million last year he gave his teams a 0.6 wins above a replacement level player.
Nick Punto was twice that good.
by montanatwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
Hear, hear!
I want no part of Orlando Cabrera. That ship should have sailed when J.J. Hardy was acquired.
Has Cabrera actually stated on the record that he’s willing to change positions? I know the Twins mentioned it, but I don’t know if Cabrera ever said whether he’d be okay with it.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
+1
“Nick Punto was twice that good” is scary
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jan 25, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
Was Cabrera with
the Twins when they made that great come back in Sept?
by b1 on Jan 25, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, but even during that time Punto was more valuable
O-Cab OPS for September: .744
Punto OPS for September: .782
That disregards their defense, which I’m not sure we can measure month by month anyway. Generally, Punto’s defense was better than O-Cab’s in 2009 so I would guess this remained true in September
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jan 25, 2010 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
He's better than the alternative...
Alexi has no business in the bigs and Punto is not a starter.
do not underestimate
Alexi’s potential. I may agree that he has no business in the bigs for now, but Alexi has tons of potential. How come I never heard any of these complaints about Alexi in the middle of ’08? Because he was producing and everybody, including myself, thought that he was the next Castillo….which, if given a chance, he could very well be; maybe not quite as productive or polished as Castillo, but certainly along that caliber.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
True
But didn’t everyone say how big of an influence O-Cab was on Alexi? If this is true, why not bring him in to mentor Alexi. Although 3 mil is a bit expensive for a mentor. I just really hate seeing Punto starting every game, sliding head first into first and all.
O-Cab had
a great influence on Gomez especially. Now that Gomez is gone, we don’t especially need O-Cab. As long as we can get a fair trade – involving both Perkins and Casilla or Tolbert, than I do not mind trading Casilla. I just can see that kids potential and it makes me nervous. Same with Delmon Young. We trade him before the season and he becomes MVP the next season – see David Ortiz.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
David Ortiz
showed flashes of talent throughout his tenure with the Twins. He was never great in any defensive position, but no one was silly enough to expect him to be, or to trot him out in the field. He could hit, and he could hit for power, and he did that pretty well when he wasn’t injured.
Delmon Young has not really showed much of anything since the minors, and very very little so far with the Twins. His defense is atrocious (although I have argued before, and will argue again that he really needs to be in RF) and his DH abilities are weak sauce so far, at best.
He will never be an MVP. We will all be thankful if he becomes a +2 WAR player at any position. I think he has that potential.
by montanatwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
I refer you to August/September/October
of the last two years. Young is extremely hot in the second half of the season…I wish he would just maintain that throughout the whole year. I agree with you that his defense is atrocious, but his bat is very good – at least during the final months of the season.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 6:18 PM EST up reply actions
well cherry picking months is a fool's game.
no offense meant to you, and I am not saying you are a fool. Just saying that I can pick out three months for Punto year after year and say in those three months Punto is pretty good.
There aren’t very many games in October. There are a lot of games in May, June and July.
by montanatwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 6:22 PM EST up reply actions
precisely
Young needs to stay hot year round and not just in the final months. This is the year for Young – if he does not hit during April, May, June, July – then I am hoping that he is traded in the offseason. (Also, foolishly hoping that the Twins sign Carl Crawford in 2010 offseason).
The main thing for Young to prove this year is consistency. If he cannot, I think we can all say goodbye to Delmon Young.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
ok
but I am positive he will show some consistency. Consistently poor defense. I am not advocating getting rid of him yet. I think you are right. Give him at least one more year. But I don’t think he fits this team as long as we have Cuddyer in RF.
by montanatwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 6:42 PM EST up reply actions
He is still only 24
and he did post a .907 OPS over his last 100 ABs last year and an .825 OPS in the 2nd half.
Maybe give him away for a bag of peanuts but certainly don’t give him away for nothing. Not yet at least.
exactly
let him prove himself for one more year…or half a year if a trade happens to drop in our laps at the deadline. Montanatwinsfan and I are in complete agreement that the Twins should not trade Delmon away until he has proven himself/or not.
If Delmon has not proven himself by July, I can see two scenarios: Trade him at the deadline for a need. Trade/Release him after the season.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 26, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree
You only say that because after they moved him to second, he got hot. Hot for him is an OPS of .750 or so. But for most of the season, his OPS was below .600. I don’t think you can count on him to play like he did in August and September for a whole year. He might have two months like that, otherwise, he’s well below replacement level.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
except he's not below replacement level at all
his bat isn’t good, no one is questioning that. But you are severely underestimating his glove and, playoff gaffe excepted, his baserunning
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
You know you like college hockey
Punto isn't so bad - even as a starter.
I don’t love him, like Gardy, but every team has a weak link or two. But it makes no sense to go out and get O Cab and leave our team with weak links at at least two infield positions. Punto at least can play servicable D. OCab and Harris cant, and Casilla and Tolbert are middling at best. That’s too much weakness when we could have Crede or Lopez, or maybe even Hudson instead.
by montanatwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
You cannot misunderestimate Punto's baseruning
It is horse crap. Yeah, he’s OK at stealing. But, as Adam P. can verify with stats, he’s terrible at every other stat (taking the extra base, not getting thrown out, etc.). And there is no stat for how many times he’s thrown out at first while diving, when he would have been safe if he ran through the bag.
As for his defense, it’s mediocre. His UZR at second is typically right around 0. He’s had a couple of brilliant stretches in the field (2006 at 3B, 2008 at SS). But otherwise, it’s average. And range is his best attribute. He is not particularly sure handed, mostly because he insists on making every routine play look spectacular, in the grand style of Juan Castro.
I’d say his poor base running offsets what little defensive value he has. And his offense is just plain offensive, save for a few above-average stretches (a couple of months in 2006 and 2009). He’s particularly poor at doing the “little things” right. He’s a bad bunter, and he doesn’t make enough contact to make productive outs. This would seem to be a prerequisite for a guy with a career OPS of .647.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
sigh
he would have had the 7th best WAR on the Red Sox last year. The team with the 2nd highest payroll in baseball.
Paying to upgrade from Punto is a waste of money.
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
You know you like college hockey
I'm fine with the upgrade
Because it wouldn’t really be replacing Punto, it would be replacing a bunch of Tolbert-Casilla-Harris at bats, as Punto becomes the primary backup infielder.
by Adam Peterson on Jan 26, 2010 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
Actually...I've worked the 2009 numbers
and guess who came in on top of the Twins last year at the “little things”?
Nick Punto, at 8.61 runs, mostly due to baserunning (5.52 runs), because he made many fewer outs on the basepaths last year. Of course, this is only for the regular season, not the playoffs against NY.
by Adam Peterson on Jan 26, 2010 9:36 AM EST up reply actions
That's good to see
Historically, he has made a lot of outs on the base paths. But maybe he played smarter last year. I would prefer to upgrade Punto and move him to the bench, where he’ll get plenty of playing time. But I doubt the Twins will do it. I think they’re going to give Punto one last chance to start at his best position.
If he stats 2010 like he started 2009, it’ll be Casilla or Tolbert. That’s why I want them to upgrade. Historically, when he starts the season in the regular line-up, he really struggles. Last year, for example, he was having the worst season by a regular shortstop in Twins history before he got benched and eventually moved to second. But when he starts the year on the bench, he seems to do better.
I still don’t think they will do it. But considering the prices for these guys, they’d be taking a bigger risk by not signing anybody.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
If Punto is clearly your worst player
then you probably have a fairly decent team. Even the Yankees with near unlimited money to plug holes have given guys like Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner significant playing time in recent years.
I agree with both of you
I do not expect Punto to play like he did in August/September. Punto is not the ideal starter, but starter he will be – unfortunately. However, if we sign a 2B – e.g. Lopez – a combo of Punto/Harris is not going to kill the Twins. Punto provides the defense at 3B and OBP; Harris provides the extra base power….now I do not want that combo next year, that is why I am hoping that the Twins sign Lopez and Valencia dazzles them in spring training.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 5:27 PM EST up reply actions
+1
The Hochevar Principle: The future comes to all teams. Some teams wait for it. Those teams finish in last place a lot. -Joe Posnanski
I know that in my 2nd post here ever...
…I’m already going to sound like a broken record, but for any FA’s to be picked up they gotta make a roster move to clear space on the 40-man. Picking up 2 FA’s at this point is completely unrealistic.
Also Btown80, you’ve got no backup OF’s on the bench, we really need somebody who can play CF in a pinch, and there’s no one on our roster outside of Span at this point.
I’m thinking a trade involving Perkins and at least two of our spare middle infielders should do the trick – buh-bye Nick and Alexi!!!!
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Jan 25, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
f'n broken record.
I mean, c’mon buddy, get a new act. sarcasm
But seriously about that trade. Who would want both of our spare infielders, everyone has one or two of those in their system right now (kinda like a mediocre 5th SP) – unless you are suggesting that you think there will be two separate trades. And if we trade both of our infielders who will play 2nd?
I suppose you are suggesting we trade for a 4th OF and sign Lopez,/O-Hud, and Crede? I guess its not out of the question as Smith has definitely proven to be more aggressive than Ryan, but…
by montanatwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Excellent Point
You gotta bring something to the table, no doubt. I guess I’m more into pointing out problems than providing solutions today.
But I wouldn’t have a problem finding out what the Red Sox want for Lowell, see if what I’m giving fits with what he’s worth, and find out if they’ve got just that backup CF type guy to get it all done in one sweet deal.
For 2B I don’t hate Tolbert or Harris, but even if you drop 2 people (Perkins & fill in the blank) for one, then you’ve got the roster room to grab a FA as long as your trade also leaves you with room in the budget. I actually don’t mind Harris at 3rd either as long as it’s his everyday job and not something to share with Tolbert.
It might not even be ridiculous to talk to the Royals right now about their “surplus” of OFs since they just brought in Rick Ankiel. They’ve got Brian Anderson, Scotty Pods, Mitch Maier that should both be able to fill in our bench OF role and Josh Fields that could turn into a decent 3B someday (plus, there’s nothing like rotating between 3 AL Central teams in one offseason, right?!?!?) – mostly kidding with that, we don’t need a “someday” 3B, we need an established one if we’re going out to get one.
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Jan 25, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
5 on O-Hud
welcome aboard
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
You know you like college hockey
Crede and Lopez
I know that is 5.5, but not bad… otherwise…
Crede (1.5) , Belliard (.8), Edmonds (.5), Thome (2-3)… Scratch thome if he’s too expensive…
by diehardtwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 11:50 AM EST reply actions
Quality or Quantity
I think it all depends whether the Twins feel that 2-3 upgrades would help or 1 larger upgrade would be most beneficial.
Signing Lopez or Hudson and then being done with the offseasion would make sense. Or you could go the route of signing Randy Winn, Adam Kennedy and Joe Crede. That would be quite the deep offense and bench.
Personally, I’d go with Hudson and a minor league contract to a bench bat like Gomes.
by TheBlackFreighter on Jan 25, 2010 12:16 PM EST reply actions
Crede and Lopez
Also, offer a minor league deal to Baldelli or Chavez if they’re still available in late February.
Also catchers
I have to believe the Twins will bring in a MFA catcher before spring training, considering that Morales won’t be able to play at all this spring, Butera can’t hit at all and Ramos is raw.
So, assuming they can get these guys as MFAs, I’d say Kennedy, Crede, Chavez and Molina.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Lopez and Baldelli
If we have only $5 mil to spend and based on the prices you gave, I would go Lopez and Baldelli, though Chavez would be just fine too. I really hope we sign another infielder, whether it be Lopez or Hudson would be the two I prefer, but if they get cheap I wouldn’t mind Crede either, as long as we make one other signing as well…
+1
Lopez is the gives us a second baseman and Baldelli gives us bench depth for the outfield.
by NYCisTwinsTerritory on Jan 25, 2010 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think he's good enough to play center
That’s why I prefer Endy
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
+1
I’d rather go with Lopez + Crede, but the rules of the game state no higher than $5M. Getting Lopez + Baldelli resolves three holes on the roster. 2B, #2 hitter and 4th outfielder.
This leaves us with a hole at 3B, one that can (IMO) be addressed at the start of the season with some combination of Harris + Punto. Punto’s arm scares me at 3B, but I’d check it out during the spring. I’d also give Valencia a shot at making the club out of spring training.
by Adam Peterson on Jan 25, 2010 6:57 PM EST up reply actions
That's what I'd rather do too
But I don’t expect Lopez to accept a MFA contract, and I doubt the Twins will offer a major league deal to more than one player considering how tight their roster is.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
please randy winn
The Twins need a veteran who doesn’t need to play everyday.
The problem is, that I can't imagine you would actually get Crede and Lopez for 5.5 mil
People tend to take 1.5 mil plus incentives, and just call it 1.5 mil. Crede will most likely get a contract with some easy to earn incentives, and some that are harder to earn. I would expect to pay him 3 mil, unless (and this certainly isn’t out of the realm of possibility) Crede has a season-ending injury early.
by Steven Ellingson on Jan 25, 2010 1:07 PM EST reply actions
My take
Lopez ($4) and Crede ($1.5). Puts me slightly over the $5 million mark set. Then, I would sign Gomes or Baldelli to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training and $1 million if they make the team.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Well
I had really thought the best course was to go get a decent third basemen with the rest of our money then let Punto have it out at second, but there just aren’t any 3B left really, so I say go get O Hud. That means 3B will be an offensive black hole, but hey, whatcyagonnado
"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
Realisticly
Alot of people are saying signing either lopez/hudson and crede, but is that really realistic? Like was mentioned before, crede will definately sign with some incentives which could easily bring any contract he signs up to $4-$5 mil. I can’t see the twins giving up $8-$10 more mil on their already record high payroll, so I think you need to pick one of those three and at best one more off the bench bat. Having two would certainly be nice, but I think we are just kidding ourselves…
Unrealistic
It’s unrealistic, because Punto will start somewhere. He either starts at 2nd or 3rd, depending on whether we bring Mora/Crede aboard or Hudson/Lopez/Kennedy aboard.
by TheBlackFreighter on Jan 25, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
Good point
I’d assume that if they sign someone to an incentive-laden contract, they include the incentives as part of their budget. If Crede signs a $1M deal with $4M in incentives, you’re probably right that it ends their free agent spending other than league minimum types.
Also, I think TheBlackFreighter is right that Punto’s getting a starting job next year.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Lopez and Baldelli
If this was really the money, Lopez for 3b, Baldelli for the bench. But i’m really hoping for Hudson.
I think we all know what’s going to happen, Washburn and Cabrera. Who else would sign those two?
+1
I’m glad i’m not the only one who would like this combo
"God tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure you're fucked."-Braveheart
Um...
In the grand scheme of things, $5 million is a lot of money. As in, if the average household income in Minneapolis is still around $50,000, it’s 50-years-to-make-that-much-money kind of money.
I’d like to propose that we set aside some of the money for remedial math classes for Jesse.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
ha, ha
I’ll pitch in, but I sure won’t throw stones since I live in a glassmath house myself.
by montanatwinsfan on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST up reply actions
I'm hoping either Lopez + Crede or Hudson
But if the Twins make any more moves, I am guessing it’s more likely to be Washburn (front office has a serious crush on the guy). Maybe even O-Cab and Quinlan.
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jan 25, 2010 2:45 PM EST reply actions
I agree
I think Lopez fits into the linup very nicely (Hudson’s my #1) and it still leaves us with enough money to get that OF off the bench. Chavez fits the Twins’ mold perfectly.
1. Span CF
2. Lopez 2B
3. Mauer C
4. Morneau 1B
5. Cuddyer RF
6. Kubel DH
7. Young LF
8. Hardy SS
9. Punto 3B
C – Morales
OF – Chavez
INF – Harris
UTIL – Tolbert/Casilla
1. Baker
2. Pavano (Lets not forget the potential this guy still has. He used to be an ace)
3. Slowey
4. Blackburn
5. Duensing
LR – Liriano
MR – Rauch
MR – Crain
MR – Condrey
MR – Mijares
SU – Guerrier
CL – Nathan
I would actually
switch Young and Hardy around…possibly this even:
7. Hardy, SS
8. Punto, 3B
9. Young, LF
Young has the best OBP and average from the #9 spot, though of course it is in limited ab’s.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
It's hard to believe our bullpen is full already...
…so what do we do with Neshek???
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Jan 25, 2010 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
Neshek
will most probably be at AAA to start the season….it is highly unlikely that he makes the team out of spring training (he hasn’t really thrown in live games since ’08.)
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
thats what i'd do exactly
Then hope that Harris/Punto can keep the seat warm for a couple months until Valencia dominates
The Hochevar Principle: The future comes to all teams. Some teams wait for it. Those teams finish in last place a lot. -Joe Posnanski
Bench OF playing CF?
I’ve read that our bench OF should be able to play CF. Can any of these guys?
If that doesn’t matter –
Lopez & Baldelli or Hudson & Gomes
Baldelli
can certainly play CF in order to give Span a day off. Not so sure about Gomes. It is tough to decide between those two trades. I guess I would go with the first one, a) since we all know Baldelli can play CF, b) it is probably the cheapest of the two signings.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
Gomes cant play CF at all
Beadlemaniacs - Award winning* college basketball blog
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In Gardy's head, where it's ok to start Cuddy in center, Gomes can play center.
Everywhere else, absolutely not.
by Steven Ellingson on Jan 26, 2010 1:50 AM EST up reply actions
melvin mora
is terrible. Like seriously, terrible awful. No freaking way.
Give me Hudson or give me death! Or at least a backup OF who can play CF and ideally pinch-run when necessary.
formerly known in these parts as adamb
Hudson and Pridie
or Lopez and Baldelli/Gomes…those are the options. I am not sure which I prefer, but leaning more towards Lopez +.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
by 33MorneauMVP on Jan 25, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
Although as I stated earlier, Lopez/Crede is the best option, and then offer a FA OF like Baldelli or Chavez a minor league deal sometime in late February. I will admit that it is hard for me to see the Twins signing two guys to major league deals at this point in the offseason, and I do think Punto will have a starting job.
That being said, even with incentives, Crede is affordable, especially if Hudson or Lopez’s asking price goes down (which it will). At the same time, Punto is decent starter. If he hits .250 and keeps his OBP around .340 and avoids declining defensively, he can even be solid. Even the Yankees had Brett Gardner in their lineup last year a decent amount. We can live with Punto, but it wouldn’t be difficult to avoid being forced to.
Also remember Punto’s every-other-year performances (avg/obp)…
2005 .239/.301
2006 .290/.352
2007 .210/.291
2008 .284/.344
2009 .228/.337
2010 ????
Plus, this is...
…kind of another contract year for Punto. He’s got to try to get that $5mil extension for 2011 so he should be working his a$$ off trying to get that raise, or play like normal and take the buy-out. Seeing Harris sign for 2-years out of arbitration should motivate him as well.
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Jan 26, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
You Want Cheap?
How about none of the above. I’d take Hudson if his price falls, and various other guys (Chavez, Baldelli) on minor league deals, but why not save your bullets? Part of the fun of being aTwins fans is seeing if Valencia can fill 3B, Casilla can fulfill his potential, Punto can have an even numbered year slash line—Liriano, on salary, is every bit as good a bet as any starting pitcher out there.
Meanwhile, the ‘player development" type organization that the Twins are leaves a couple of roster spots open for younger guys. I’m excited to see Ramos get extensive playing time in spring training, and maybe Tosoni and Revere. Not to mention Tolleson et al.
I’ve read far too many posts about how Cuddy is overpaid by 2-3 Million, and then turn around and read how you can spend that money on a 4th outfielder or something. I.e: Gosh, we could trade Cuddy, sign Dye or Ankiel for 3.5 mil, and then sign Adam Kennedy. Yee haw.
Cheap
Cost is important, and obviously I understand that the Twins want to develop the players within the organization. With that being said, the Twins front office understands (hopefully) that the window to win a championship with Mauer and Morneau in their prime isn’t terribly big. A surefire way to cause Mauer to NOT re-sign would be to let Valencia and Casilla start in the infield right off the bat. Sure, Casilla still has potential, and developing players is important, but they need to show something in AAA first. Signing Hudson, Lopez, Crede, Thome, etc. isn’t going to stunt the growth of a prospect, but it might help the Twins this season.
I agree about the starting pitching, and I think the front office does as well. But if you can improve the club, why on earth would you choose not to?
We're probably mostly in agreement, but
The little incremental improvements we are talking about here are really just money out of Mauer’s pocket. There is a pretty good chance that Mauer’s teammate Casilla could have a breakout year at minimum wage and equal whatever a 34 (younger than me) Hudson can muster. Ditto Valencia/Crede.
If the Twins FO wanted to bowl Mauer over with their offseason improvements (beyond Hardy) they should’ve acquired Cliff Lee. Beyond that its just window dressing, and this argument is past the hot stove league and well into the lukewarm league.
WHITE SOX OUT ON THOME
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/minnesota_twins/
Detroit and Tampa Bay in the running, Thome’s agent spoke with the Twins today, and the Twins are the frontrunners.
Not sure I even want to spend it all there.
Lopes, Gomes, and spend $1M more on the draft this year, or save it for picking somebody up in July.
One name you missed that intrigues me is Chien-Ming Wang.
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