Wednesday Roundup: A call, a catcher and an update
by Bobomojo on Oct 5, 2011 10:23 AM EDT
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PrintGM, President face the fans
Twins General Manager Bill Smith and team President Dave St. Peter held a conference call with season ticket holders yesterday. The Strib provided a good roundup here, but below I've pulled out some highlights. If you were on the call and have some insights to add, we'd love to read them in the comments section:
Smith said he'd like to see Michael Cuddyer finish his career as a Twin. As we all know, Cuddyer is a free agent this off-season. There is every reason to think the Twins are making re-signing Cuddyer a priority this off-season: he was one of the (very) few bright spots last season, and he provides valuable insurance for Morneau at first.
Even if Nathan's 2012 option isn't picked up, the team is interested in keeping him. This makes perfect sense - the bullpen was a disaster last season, Nathan pitched effectively after his return in July, and he has always been an ideal organizational guy. The big question: how much and for how many years? Joe will turn 37 in November.
Off-Season Priorities
Bill Smith's list: A starting pitcher, some relief help and a back-up catcher. He said the team also needs to "figure out" shortstop - specifically citing the poor defense at the position this season - and that the team may be looking outside the organization for help.
This pretty much sums up the holes on the team that can't simply be filled by praying for good players to get healthy. It was heartening to see Smith mentioning the need for a back-up catcher, seeing as how he shipped off Wilson Ramos and Jose Morales over the past two seasons. More on that topic below. Also, if you haven't read Steve Adams piece on one possible starting pitching target from yesterday, click here.
Read more after the jump:
Smith said it's unlikely the team will re-sign Jim Thome. No surprises here. Jim Thome is a luxury no 99-loss team should seriously consider.
The Park
According to Smith, the team will not be changing the dimensions at Target Field, despite "pleas" from Twins hitters. This raises the obvious question: is Target Field so unfair to hitters that the organization needs to bring in the fences?
I don't claim to be an expert on Park Factors, and I know there are some pretty big disagreements on the best way to calculate them (here's one example). I do know that most experts will say you need at least three seasons worth of data to make a fair judgment about a park's "fairness" to hitters and pitchers, which obviously we don't have yet for Target Field. Those caveats aside, here is what a couple sources say about the Twins home park:
ESPN ranked Target Field as the 10th most pitcher-friendly park in 2011, and just the 12th most pitcher friendly park in 2010. It ranked as the 11th toughest park to homer in this season, and single toughest park to homer in during 2010. That disparity is probably a great example of why you need several seasons' worth of data on a park to make any accurate judgments on how it impacts hitters and pitchers.
Baseball Reference thinks Target Field is a slight pitcher's park, scoring the park as a 95 this season and a combined 98 between 2010 and 2011 (Park Factors set a neutral park at 100, with anything below 100 representing a pitchers park). For reference, BRef lists PETCO in San Diego as a 93 and AT&T Park in San Francisco as a 94.
Is Chris Iannetta available?
As mentioned above, one of the Twins priorities this off-season is finding a back-up catcher that can out-hit Johan Santana. Enter this piece from Jim Armstrong at the Denver Post:
"Seven years after being drafted by the Rockies and five years after he first put on their major-league uniform, the question remains: Is [Chris] Iannetta the solution behind the plate?
More and more, the answer appears to be no for the long term, what with youngster Wilin Rosario receiving most of the playing time in September. All signs point to the 22-year-old Rosario eventually winning the job."
In fairness, the article predicts Iannetta will hold the job through 2012 with Rosario possibly taking over the full-time starting gig in 2013. But what if Iannetta becomes available this off-season? In my mind, he could be an almost ideal fit for the Twins.
As a right-handed catcher who takes walks and hits for some power, Iannetta would not only be the perfect compliment to a healthy Joe Mauer, but also the perfect contingency plan in case Mauer's health problems continue in 2012. He hit 238/370/414 this season, pretty much in line with his career averages.
The biggest strike against him as a potential trade target? His career home/road splits. Away from Coors, Iannetta has hit just 208/338/369 in 870 plate appearances in his career. While his .707 road OPS represents a huge drop from his production in Colorado, the average OPS of all Major League catchers last season was just .703. Drew Butera posted a .449 OPS.
Iannetta is due $3.55 million in 2012 (age 29 season) and the Rockies hold a $5 million club option for 2013.
Update: Former Twins in the Playoffs
Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee: Gomez has only played one inning so far in the Brewers-Diamondbacks series, with Nyjer Morgan getting the starts in center for Milwaukee.
Delmon Young, Detroit: Yeah, Delmon's having himself a pretty good series against the Yankees. He's hit in the three-hole in all four games for the Tigers, and in 17 plate appearances he's hit 267/353/667 with two homers (including the go-ahead shot in Game 3).
Henry Blanco, Arizona: Has not had an appearance yet. Miguel Montero has caught all three games for the Diamondbacks.
LaTroy Hawkins, Brewers: LaTroy pitched a single scoreless inning in the Brewers Game 2 victory over the Diamondbacks.
Nick Punto, Cardinals: LaRussa has used Punto as a pinch hitter twice this post-season, and has been rewarded with a strikeout and a weak fly out.
Kyle Lohse, Cardinals: Lohse was the Cardinals Game 1 starter. Lohse held the Phillies to one run through five innings, but then got shelled in the sixth. Both Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez homered off Lohse in the inning, and he left giving up 6 runs (5 earned) in 5.1 innings.
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The park and other stuff
The challenge to hitters has to be inflated by the fact that the home team was filled with AAA hitters all year, no?
It’s at least heartening to hear that management is aware of their major problems. I’m actually a little surprised that they mentioned getting a starting pitcher from outside the organization, as I really have little confidence that they can fulfill that goal and therefore would expect them not to mention it.
As for Ianetta, I have hard time getting excited about a .238 hitter, but if it’s truly a backup role and Mauer gets most of the time behind the plate, he sure sounds like an upgrade. I guess it does no good to pine after Ramos and Morales.
But I don't think Chris Iannatta would be a good pickup for the Twins
Not when you have a 40 year old I-Rod available for the Twins.
Other things I took from what was listed:
Both Jim Thome and Michael Cuddyer are luxuries. I know the Twins would like to have Cuddyer back in a Twins uniform, but Chris Paramlee is likely to be our future 1st baseman with Justin Morneau as the DH and splitting time with the person who we hire to play right field and Joe Mauer.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!
That was sarcastic right?
About I-Rod?
I don’t see Cuddyer as a luxury. They need a right fielder who can hit, and he’s probably cheaper than the other options.
As for who’s the future at 1st, it’s probably Mauer rather than Parmalee, but probably not next year.
It seems to me
with no real emperical data to back this up, that my gut reaction is that the blue jays, yankees, white sox, tigers….hell, every team but the A’s and mariners have had absolutely no problem hitting home runs/driving in runs at Target Field. I wonder if you just eliminate the Twins offense from the equation what the park factor would become.
I forgot who said the line, or what it was exactly but it goes something like “The fans wanted to see more home runs, and we have assembled a pitching staff for their entertainment.”
Catcher
Ryan Doumit will be a free agent. Not a great catcher but hits well and is a switch hitter. Only 30 and his career numbers are on par with Cuddy. Cuddy 20 hr 82 rbi, .794 ops and ops+ 111. Doumit 18 hr 71 rbi, .777 ops and 106 ops+. He could catch half time, and be a decent dh. Plus he will likely only cost in the 5-6m range half of Cuddy.
You missed a Kyle Lohse moment
He came on as a pinch-runner for Molina in the 9th inning last night. Not that it’s significant, but I thought it was a little weird . . .
Presumably the same players who want the park shortened are the ones who wanted the trees taken out. I’ve been noticing trees in the background in Detroit. Didn’t seem to hurt them any.
Steve Goodman lives.
The Twins will bounce back
The “Sanford Health” sign is coming down. People have blamed the trees but that sign went up just before the 2010 playoffs and the Twins haven’t won since.
A backup catcher and a shortstop
Man…it wasn’t too long ago when we had those pieces of the puzzle and then traded them away.
P.S.
Yes, I am part of the “Never Forget Ramos and Hardy” Brigade :)
Did you really think they had SS covered?
Before they traded Hardy? He was effective when he was on the field, but that wasn’t all that often. At the time of the trade, I wasn’t convinced that would change.
Yes, I do
100 games of Hardy and 62 of Plouffe or Casilla (w/ Hughes/Plouffe at 2nd) would have been vastly superior to what we trotted out this season. Probably a 4 win swing.
Maybe more
I keep forgetting how completely bad the Nishi/Plouffe combo is at defense.
Nishi absolutely doesn't have the arm for the left side of the infield
Giving up Hardy AND sending money with him is absolutely part of the triumverate of dumb trades in recent twins history.
Sending money was about Harris, not Hardy
The Twins also sent Brendan Harris in the Hardy trade, and the money they sent along was more to cover Harris’ salary – despite the fact that he wasn’t likely to make the majors again (he got dumped from the 40-man roster) he was under a major league contract, and the Twins chipped in a bit to get the Orioles to take on the rest of his deal.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Confims what I've been syaing for years:
Cuddyer is a Twin for life
The beard abides.
by Jason Kubel's Beard on Oct 5, 2011 3:16 PM EDT reply actions
First move
Fire Bill Smith. Cant stand the guy. Comes across as an arrogant, I know everything guy. After a trade happens or doesn’t, you ask a simple question about it. I cannot confirm nor deny that rumor.. Seems every trade that was considered good, he traded that player away and made a lousy trade.
Regards
Brian
by MagikLair on Oct 5, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It's interesting to hear it from Smith directly
My opinion on some of the things he mentioned:
- Keep Cuddyer if his contract demands are reasonable. The team needs a veteran, and he can be the 1B if necessary, allowing Parmelee to get some polish at AAA.
- I like Nathan. A lot. I just hate how the Saves stat inflates a reliever’s value. Even if the Twins decline his option and try to sign him again, I’m afraid they’ll still overpay. I’d pass on him and see if Perkins can fill the role.
- Off season priorities… no different from what TT posters and others have been saying for months: need an ace, a better bullpen, a league-average or better backup catcher, and someone who can field (and hopefully hit) at SS. I’m not too worried about the bullpen (relievers are plentiful), but I don’t think they can find an ace this year without completely overspending.
I’m sure I have more opinions. I’ll post more later.
Hard to see how they can let bullpen talent go
But I hear you about overpaying for Nathan.
And unless you can develop one internally, which they have failed to do, I don’t think you can get an ace without overspending.
Spending significant money on an ace is fine
I just don’t think the free agent starters this year are good enough to justify overpaying them. And, I don’t think we have the prospect depth to trade for one either.
I would be happier picking up a couple #2 pitchers. Just my opinion.
I agree
the list of #2 and 3 starters is plentiful, and there could be some bargains out there. Garland could be a fit if the price is right.
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 5, 2011 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven't looked at names yet
But the rotation would be Baker, someone, someone, Pavano, Liriano. Deunsing and Swarzak in the bullpen. Slowey and Blackburn get shopped (maybe for that SS or backup catcher?)
he should
be ready before spring, and he’ll be on the cheap. when healthy… he’s pretty good, and would probably do well at TF
"live EVERY week like it's shark week" Tracy Jordan(30 Rock)
by carlpavanosmoustache on Oct 5, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
ugh
Obviously, “if the price is right” is a big caveat, but I think Garland is a guy who is horribly overrated. For some reason, he creates free agent buzz despite being a pretty mediocre pitcher.
But he would sure fit in on a staff full of mediocre starters.
This
AL xFIP 5.0
NL xFIP 4.6
He’s no better than Swarzak, but a lot older and more expensive.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
That's right. It's the park's fault you're not hitting well.
Yeah…
WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs: Minnesota RollerGirls vs Madison's Dairyland Dolls - Friday 10/7 at noon Central Time on derbyaccess.com. Regional semifinal at noon Central time Saturday 10/8. 3rd place bout Sunday 10/9 at 3:20 pm Central and regional championship at 5:20 pm.
The fences don't need to come in
the wooden bat just need to be replaced with metal ones.
If the contract isn’t too one sided I hope they keep Cuddyer. If Morneau can’t go, I’m not sure Mauer is a better replacement. Plus Mauer will be catching 90 to 100 games next year… riiiiight?
Decline the option on Nathan but I agree with another poster, he showed too much to not try and keep him at a cheaper rate.
I hope the winter shopping plans include pitching and more pitching and not the control number 3 or 4 of the rotation kind of pitching…
Come see all your favorite EPIC fails @ www.minnesotatwins.com!
Keeping with Mauer’s trend of only getting hurt in odd-numbered seasons, let’s hope so.
by MoonlitKnight on Oct 5, 2011 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions
That could be true.
And I would welcome the media accusing Mauer of using HGH while hitting 50 home runs where the only reason for his power was because he basically lived at Anytime Fitness during the offseason.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!
I would like the media to accuse Mauer
of abusing Land O Lakes milk resulting in him winning the triple crown next season.
Come see all your favorite EPIC fails @ www.minnesotatwins.com!
Well he's got an endorsement deal with Kemps, so...
WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs: Minnesota RollerGirls vs Madison's Dairyland Dolls - Friday 10/7 at noon Central Time on derbyaccess.com. Regional semifinal at noon Central time Saturday 10/8. 3rd place bout Sunday 10/9 at 3:20 pm Central and regional championship at 5:20 pm.
The fences don't need to come in
just down. I never understood why they needed a tall wall in RF with a LH dominated lineup. Sure lineups change, but a wall with a normal height out in RF would still be deep enough to not be considered hitter friendly.
There's 1 former Twin you're omitting:
Luis Ayala of the Yankee$. He’s pitched 1.1 innings so far, giving up 1 run.
Cuddy/Nathan
You bring back Cuddy and Nathan that will use up at least 15m out of the 30+ m they have. That doesn’t leave much left to add a starter, bullpen help, a catcher and last but not least a shortstop.
I don't think they will go after a SS
but yes the price has to be right for both and there is a good chance it won’t be
Come see all your favorite EPIC fails @ www.minnesotatwins.com!
He said they will likely go outside the org for a shortstop
He says so little. But when he says stuff, it happens.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
I obviously didn't read his comments
but I’m happy to hear that he said they would go after a SS. If the Twins are going to have a bunch of pitch to contact guys then they have to have solid defense behind their pitchers.
Come see all your favorite EPIC fails @ www.minnesotatwins.com!
Bill Smith has traded away 2 solid shortstops.
Bartlett and Hardy. Dear Bill Smith, quality shortstops are not that easy to come by. If you get another, don’t ship him away.
WFTDA North Central Region Playoffs: Minnesota RollerGirls vs Madison's Dairyland Dolls - Friday 10/7 at noon Central Time on derbyaccess.com. Regional semifinal at noon Central time Saturday 10/8. 3rd place bout Sunday 10/9 at 3:20 pm Central and regional championship at 5:20 pm.
+1
I think he’s learning that. That’s why GMs should be baseball men and not pencil pushers.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
True
Could the Twins win the Jose Reyes sweepstakes? I am not saying they will, but it is possible.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!
But he is still a solid player.
The problem is Jose Reyes’s injury history, but if you are the Minnesota Twins, you might have to make a big splash just ensure season ticket orders.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!
You can now add HR to the Carlos Gomez's postseason achievements
Brewers are still down 6-10… but maybe his homerun will spark a comeback.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 6, 2011 12:31 AM EDT reply actions
Me too...
Especially since I have a long drive to make on Friday and this means there will be baseball on the radio.
by ColossusOfRhode on Oct 6, 2011 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Javier Vazquez
I’m curious if he will retire or not. Think he’d be a perfect fit and probably would take just a one year deal to sign him. Remove his years with the Yanks and he has been a very effective pitcher for a long time. He had a great bounce back year with the Marlins so I hope that convinces him to stave of retirement for one more year.
You, sir, are a mouthful.
i agree here's an actual realistic pick-up Unlike CJ Wilson in Steve Adams "piece"
great suggestion
He’d be a good fit behind Baker in the middle of the rotation for at least half- a season
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 6, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Brandon McCarthy
Brandon McCarthy is another intriguing player for me. He had an incredible year for the A’s and it only cost them $1M. I’m sure his value has gone up, but with his injury history I just don’t see it skyrocketing at all. I might be in the minority here, but I’d rather see the Twins pick up a couple low cost pitchers with potential then cutting a massive paycheck to one starter.
You, sir, are a mouthful.
by Att. Bob Loblaw on Oct 6, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
He's my top choice
He was nasty this year.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
I always assumed it was defense
As the organization has a long history of not likely catchers who can hit but aren’t the best defensively (see, e.g., Brian Harper).
I have never understood that, especially for a backup, but the sentiment has been around.
he was out of options
and they wanted to go with butters for his defense so they got something for him instead of losing for nothing
first-worst-first?
True
But the player Bill Smith got in the trade was Paul Bargas who was a 21-year old relief pitcher who was diagnoised with brain cancer shortly after reporting for Spring training. According to Charley Walters in a September 24th report, the Twins are paying for a stem cell operation.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!
I hope you're not trying to blame Smith for that.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"I am laughing right now. Am I insane?" Jessy S
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 7, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
No
I blame vaccines.
I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew
Champagne SuperTolbert Saves the day!!!
by Jessy S on Oct 7, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
thus demonstrating the wisdom of picking defense over offense
For your backup, leaving you totally screwed if you are forced to actually play him every day.
Shortstop
Shortstop killed the Twins’ defense this year. A plus defensive SS would really help the Twins’ pitchers. Four defense first SSs are Izturis (Angels), Gonazalez (Braves), Ryan (Mariners) and Barmes (Stros). Of the four, I like Barmes best (comp-free FA with some HR pop). Gonzalez will be 35 and seems to be declining, Ryan and Izturis would have to be traded for—Izturis will be a FA after 2012.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Oct 7, 2011 12:54 AM EDT reply actions
Backup Catcher
Butera (and Rivera) killed the Twins offensively. If Mauer catches less than 130, it is unacceptable to have such poor offense. Some possibilites—Kelly Shappach, Ramon Hernandez and Jose Molina. I’d pick Hernandez and Molina ahead of Shoppach, but all three have occasional power and are decent defenders. If Mauer catches less than 100 games, then the team needs to get a starting catcher.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Oct 7, 2011 12:59 AM EDT reply actions
Pitching
I think the Twins should add a starter. With Duensing sent to the BP, a back of the bullpen of Duensing, Perkins, mystery RH and Nathan will be good enough for the Twins to return to respectability. I actually like the guy acquired for Young and think that Waldrop could develop into a Guerrier type. I also think Burnett could step up in 2012. He has been deprived of development time at Rochester, but he has a good fastball and okay secondary pitches. I’ve always liked Gurthrie of the O’s, but his salary would be high. I’ve seen many names mentioned—Wilson, Nolasco, Kazmir—and there are many reclamation projects to take a flyer on.
So, to summarize my last three posts, here’s my prescription for respectability—Re-sign Cuddyer and Nathan, sign a shortstop (Barmes—perhaps $4.5 M), a backup catcher ($1-2 (Molina) and one pitcher (I’ll say Edwin Jackson). With improved health the Twins are near .500 with this group. With a return to form for Mauer and Morneau and a couple surprises, they make a run for the division (I’m not holding my breath on that item.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Oct 7, 2011 1:11 AM EDT reply actions
I think they should add two starters
And shop Blackburn and Slowey for whatever they can get. If Nathan is reasonable, a Nathan/Deunsing/Swarzak/Perkins/Oliveros/Cheeseburger BP is fine.
by spanspanspan on Oct 7, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
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