Twins Off-Season In Review
by Jesse on Feb 16, 2010 5:24 PM EST
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PrintA quick outline of the Twins' off-season to date. Obviously, we're all hoping it's not quite finished, for one big reason.
Trades & Signings
- CF Carlos Gomez traded for SS J.J. Hardy
- RHP Boof Bonser traded for RHP Chris Province
- Signed DH Jim Thome (one-year, $1.5 million + incentives)
- Signed 2B Orlando Hudson (one-year, $5 million)
- Signed OF Jacque Jones (minor league contract)
- Signed IF Brendan Harris (two-years, $3.2 million)
- Picked up OF Michael Cuddyer's 2011 option ($10.5 million)
Au Revoir
- SS Orlando Cabrera not re-signed
- C Mike Redmond not re-signed
- 3B Joe Crede not re-signed
- LHP Ron Mahay not re-signed
- OF Jason Pridie claimed off waivers by Mets
- RHP Armando Gabino claimed off waivers by Orioles
- 1B Justin Huber sold to Japanese League
- Released RHP Bobby Keppel
Arbitration Results
- RHP Carl Pavano: $7 million
- SS J.J. Hardy: $5.1 million
- RHP Matt Guerrier: $3.15 million
- OF Delmon Young: $2.5 million
- RHP Jesse Crain: $2 million
- LHP Francisco Liriano: $1.6 million
- RHP Clay Condrey: $900 K
- RHP Pat Neshek: $625 K
With the decisions made so far this off-season, the Twins have committed $43.075 million towards payroll this winter ($30.825 towards 2010).
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You're so right.
I think that says more about what kind of an impact he truly made on this team than anything else. But true.
You'd think so, but clearly his role is already fading in my mind!
…and THAT probably says more about ME than anything else.
I put Keppel's departure...
as another notch on Smith’s belt. I always thought he just wasn’t that good and that he never deserved a spot on the roster at all, let alone pitching in that game. Good riddance IMO.
B+/A-
Sign Mauer and it is definitely an A season. This is the best offseason in this decade and the best team all around (aside from a true #1 pitcher) that the Twins have put on the field since ‘86/’91.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Did we put a better team on the field in 1986 versus 1987?
Ummm…wrong year.
by Adam Peterson on Feb 20, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
I gave it a B
I couldn’t give it an A because I am a little nervous about our outfield should Span go down and I would have liked to take a chance on someone like Rich Harden, but this is by far the best offseason I can remember. Lock Mauer up and it becomes an A+ regardless of the outfield and starting pitching.
by Butch Huskey's Breakout Year on Feb 16, 2010 5:57 PM EST reply actions
A+
Even without signing Mauer (and we all know that’s a matter of when, not if), this may be the best off season the team has ever had. If not, it certainly ranks up there near the very top.
And yet there are Twins fans worried about a 5th outfielder?! Amazing.
There is no way this season will be decided by the team’s 5th outfielder (or their lack of one). Even if Span goes down, you make do with what you have until he comes back. Bring up a prospect. Make a trade. Whatever.
I’m perfectly content to go into spring training as is. Let the players battle it out for the spot. If nobody steps up, then maybe look for outside help.
I hate sounding like a jerk, but after all the great moves this off season, I think giving the front office anything less than an “A” is whining.
B+
I believe the front office did what they could with what they had and I am happy with what they got.
Very excited for Opening Day
I give them an A
for those exact reasons. They haven’t made all the moves I would have liked, but I have liked all of the moves they made.
Sorry for the interruption
Is it possible to be pointed to any articles or research on the new Twins ballpark and how it might play out in terms of its park factors. Thanks!
vr, Xeifrank
Try these
A 3-part article from Sean at the WGOM
Part 1: http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2009/11/30/projecting-target-field-2010-part-1/
Part 2: http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2009/12/15/projecting-target-field-2010-part-2/
Part 3: http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2009/12/21/projecting-target-field-2010-part-3-2/
by cowdisciple on Feb 16, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Boof Bonser
You forgot Boof!
My wife was devastated, she was so looking forward to making and bringing a “Where’s the Boof?” sign.
No, I didn't spell Maurer wrong, Joe did.
I gave 'em a B
If I were comparing it to Twins’ offseasons of the past, it would have definitely been an A, but grading on a curve related to the other teams’ moves of this offseason, it was good, but not as good as, say, the M’s. Seattle went out and got the infielder they needed, they went out and got the ace they wanted, they locked up their shortstop, they locked up their franchise pitcher, and they even, somehow, dropped their steaming pile of bull$*!# on the worthless Cubs. They did it by signing FA’s and by making trades.
We got most of what we wanted, but we haven’t locked up our franchise guy, yet, and we didn’t get an ace, and we only got two of the 3 infielders we wanted.. The only trade we made sent away a guy with potential for a guy who needs to rebound. The M’s big trade was also for someone who needs to rebound, but even former fans have to admit Silva blows.
I don’t mean to sound too negative – this should be one hell of a team, and I’m greatly looking forward to April, definitely the best offseason for the Twins in recent years.
"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Feb 16, 2010 9:06 PM EST reply actions
Not an A?
I can’t believe that there are people who wouldn’t give out an A. What is it going to take? Trade for Lincecum and Adrian Gonzalez? Allow you a luxury box for your vote? Free beer and season tickets?
This
This. The general consensus around the game and among wise observers is the Twins have improved a great deal this offseason and are now a team to be reckoned with. I’ve been very highly critical of Bill Smith for most of his tenure as GM, but he’s really nailed it this offseason.
"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 Feb 16, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Re-sign Joe Mauer
Guaranteed A+
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"All morons hate it when you call them a moron." -Holden Caufield
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Feb 16, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
Can't give them an A+
They signed Harris to a Two-year deal. And they passed on both Endy Chavez and Willy Taveras in favor of Jacque Jones. Those moves are questionable. Relatively minor, but questionable. To me, A+ means flawless. If they sign Mauer, they get an A, a far cry fro Bill Smith’s first offseason, which gets a C-.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
not only up to the Twins
We have no idea whether or not the Twins offered Taveras or Chavez a contract. Players signing minor league contracts look for the best opportunities to get playing time. Maybe they thought they’d get more PT in Houston or Texas. Maybe they don’t like to pay state taxes. Players have choices too.
by Jon Kammerer on Feb 16, 2010 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
Both will make the minimum if they make the big club
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
"if they make the big club"
That’s the key. There’s no guarantee that the Twins are going to carry a fifth outfielder during the season (he might not get called up at all, or only get called up for two weeks at a time if another outfielder gets hurt). Even if the Twins offered them contracts, they may have seen a better likelihood of making the big club in their new homes. Also, as Jon mentioned, Texas has no state income tax, which is probably an additional selling point, assuming similar projected MLB service time.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Neither the Nationals nor the Rangers made any such promises
I have to believe that Taveras would prefer to go to a contending team, all things considered. The logical conclusion is that Twins preferred to offer Jacque Jones the MFA contract for the minimum than a guy who played in the majors last year and is a plus defender and pinch runner. If that’s the case, it’s a missed opportunity, IMO.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
I'm not saying they did...
I don’t expect that Taveras or Chavez were promised anything by the Nationals or Rangers; I’m merely saying that for a journeyman who’s not guaranteed a roster spot, it’s a much better career move to go to an inferior team over a contender if you think you stand a better chance to stick on the roster of the inferior team.
The chance to play on a contender is nice, but if the choice looks like it’s between being in AAA for a contender or the major leagues for a horrible team, most guys would probably take the major league paycheck, and I don’t blame them at all.
I’ll agree with you that I don’t really think that the Twins considered either of those guys, but I guess we don’t know that – the Twins aren’t generally big on leaking failed free agent pursuits, other than the Washburn debacle.
“The Washburn Debacle” would be a good name for a band.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
I wanted to give it an A-
If they sign Mauer, I’d give it an A. But when the top priority is not done…. I gave them an A, with the firm conviction that they’ll get the Mauer contract done.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
WSox fan
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"All morons hate it when you call them a moron." -Holden Caufield
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Feb 16, 2010 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
Whoever he is
He’s just mad that we had a player with his own day on the internet and gordon Beckham doesnt have one. But why would he? Can he hit 5 consecutive home runs like Nick Punto can? ….. No
I love Twins Baseball and Minnesota Vikings Football.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Feb 16, 2010 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Hehe - Rec'd!
"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Feb 16, 2010 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
Ha.
or Jarrod Washburn?
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Feb 17, 2010 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
My four-year-old probably agrees
Boof was his favorite player. I think he’s adopted Kevin Slowey as his new favorite Twin, but he was very disappointed when Boof was traded.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
I know this isn't the look-alike thread....
But doesn’t JJ Hardy look like Mac?
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Feb 16, 2010 11:56 PM EST reply actions
Of course, after I post this
I go back to the look alike thread and see that Benhertz mentioned this one. But, he didn’t post a picture, so it’s still original in my book.
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Feb 17, 2010 12:02 AM EST up reply actions
Didn't we DFA him back in April?
He passed through waivers and was outrighted to Rochester on May 1, so I’m assuming he must have become a minor league free agent.
But yes, you’re right…he did go to Japan.
2011
The Twins hopefully will have their ace by then. Gibson I imagine will still be in AAA, but the Twins should move after an ace after this season, as well as tendering another contract to Hudson – if there are no other options. Twins have a nice season going right now, and lets not pull back after this season. Twins can always improve and once again, next year will have holes to fill: 2B, Ace pitcher, and possibly outfield.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Probably unlikely
Barring a better-than-expected revenue increase from Target Field, the Twins will have basically no money to spend next offseason, assuming a Mauer extension. The only way they’re getting an ace next offseason is if Baker or Liriano breaks out, or maybe via blockbuster trade.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Revenue dropping next year
Their revenue sharing $$ are calculated based on Metrodome for this year’s payout. Next year their MLB revenue sharing dollars will drop.
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