Josh Willingham to Sign with Twins?

by Jesse on Dec 13, 2011 7:18 PM EST in News

Even after everything we've heard about the Twins' interest in Josh Willingham, I never actually expected that roster spot to go to anyone but Michael Cuddyer. But it seems as though the front office felt they either couldn't wait any longer for an answer from Cuddyer, felt he would ultimately say "no, thanks", or felt he was asking too much, because pending a physical it sounds like our right-handed power bat is coming in the form of the ex-Marlins, ex-Nationals and ex-Athletics slugger.

Currently, all we understand about this potential agreement is that it will be for multiple years (obviously). With Cuddyer's rumored offer sitting between $24 million and $26 million over three years, it wouldn't surprise me to see Willingham sign for slightly less per season. That's not as much as I would have envisioned coming into the off-season, and is one of the biggest reasons he didn't appear on my blueprint, but nevertheless it's reasonable to assume the contract will be in the range of two years and $16 million to three years and $24 million. If it's more than that I'd be surprised.

History will spin an interesting narrative on the end of the Cuddyer era. And sadly, the fact that it is probably the end of the Jason Kubel era will likely end up little more than a footnote. Joe Christensen notes the club hasn't made any progress with discussions on that front.

Objectively, this seems like a good move for the Twins. Willingham is likely to sign for a little less money, and by allowing Cuddyer to go elsewhere the Twins net themselves two more picks early in June's draft. Subjectively, there's going to be some sadness with the departure of a life long Twins player. Cuddyer has always been a great guy, by all accounts, and has never given anything less than all of himself for the team. Respect must be paid.

While we're waiting for all of the details to come in, here's a little backlist reading on the Willingham and Cuddyer situation. Read on, and we'll have more for you later.

As a parting visual, here's Bobomojo's graphic from his post comparing the two right-handed corner outfielders.

Cuddyer-kubel-willingham_medium

Tweet Comment 72 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Check my fanshot

It’s official per mlbtr and crasnick’s twitter feed :)

by diehardtwinsfan on Dec 13, 2011 7:21 PM EST reply actions

It's not official per MLBTR, they just piggybacked off Crasnick.

We’ll wait until the Twins confirm it to remove the question mark from the post, but yeah…at this point I’d be shocked if this didn’t happen.

by Jesse on Dec 13, 2011 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm

MLBTR made it sound done… Christiansen has posted it, but the Twins haven’t commented…

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/135546183.html

by diehardtwinsfan on Dec 13, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

I linked to that.

It’s all but done. That’s enough for a question mark for now.

by Jesse on Dec 13, 2011 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry, I think maybe that came off a bit dickish.

I didn’t mean it that way.

by Jesse on Dec 13, 2011 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

no offense taken

you didn’t come across that way at all. TY for the link..

by diehardtwinsfan on Dec 13, 2011 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

Joe C still tweeting it may not be done

http://twitter.com/#!/JoeCStrib/status/146769115682578432

Remember, remember the seventh of November.

by Go Twins! on Dec 13, 2011 9:13 PM EST up reply actions

Still need one more bat

Preferably someone who can backup at 1B. Luke Scott would be a decent guy on a minor league contract.

by DJL44 on Dec 13, 2011 7:22 PM EST reply actions

Doumit

I think Doumit fits that role. If Morneau goes down or is simply done, I suspect they call up Parmalee, who could use some time but showed last September that he can hit ML pitching. I’d much rather them go after a decent starter, another reliever, and possibly someone to keep Revere on the bench, but my gut says that at best we will get 2 more pitchers…

by diehardtwinsfan on Dec 13, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

I don't want that psycho anywhere near the Twins.

"I wanted to do it because it's fun, it's fun to do bad things and drive into a car."

by PurplePeopleEaters on Dec 13, 2011 7:26 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

How about Derrek Lee then?

Someone needs to DH everyday. I don’t want it to be Luke Hughes.

by DJL44 on Dec 13, 2011 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

Derrek Lee wouldn't be a bad signing.

But I think diehardtwinsfan is right.. Doumit fills that role. I’d love to see Kubel come back and DH vs righties. Seems doubtful though.

"I wanted to do it because it's fun, it's fun to do bad things and drive into a car."

by PurplePeopleEaters on Dec 13, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Okay then

LF – Revere, CF – Span, RF – Willingham 4th – Plouffe
1B – Morneau, DH – Doumit

There’s plenty of room on the bench for another bat. Right now the best option on the roster is Luke Hughes, next is Parmelee. I don’t think they’re going to hand a job to Benson or Parmelee to start the season.

by DJL44 on Dec 13, 2011 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

I like Parmelee more than Hughes

But my opinion is skewed by small sample size

The beard abides.

by Jason Kubel's Beard on Dec 13, 2011 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

If Doumit is the DH

Butera’s an the bench.

by amiller92 on Dec 14, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions

I like Butera on the bench

by caluofmn on Dec 14, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

I like him in AAA

Or elsewhere where Gardy can’t decide to give him a start.

by amiller92 on Dec 14, 2011 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

That's why I wanted Shopach

Butera belongs in the bullpen, as the bullpen catcher, not on a major league roster.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 14, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Mourneau to Dh

I can still see them signing cuddy to play first Mourneau I think is headed to play alot of dh to keep him healthy. That why I dont see the bringing kubel back either because full time dh is his best position

by Awall300 on Dec 13, 2011 11:54 PM EST up reply actions

Mourneau to be primary DH

To keep him healthy mourneau is going to spend alot of time at dh, Dont be suprised to see cuddy sign with twins yet and play alot of first base,

by Awall300 on Dec 14, 2011 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

I really doubt that even after this semi cheap Willingham deal that they will bring him back

Besides, the have plenty of other players who can chip in at 1st if Morneau can’t spend significant time there (Hughes, Mauer, Doumit, Parmelee).

"I learned something yesterday. No use in having rules if there's no punishment for breaking them. You'll be fine if you bite down on the trigger. Enjoy your breakfast."

by John_Locke on Dec 14, 2011 12:07 AM EST up reply actions

why is luke scott a psycho?

havent ever heard anything negative about him

first-worst-first?

by holymackerel on Dec 13, 2011 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Just google 'Luke Scott Crazy'

It gets into politics, though, so I’m gonna try to stay out of it.

by archie2227 on Dec 13, 2011 8:38 PM EST up reply actions

I took your Google advice

And I think it’s safely uncontroversial to say the Pohlads won’t be beating down Scott’s door anytime soon.

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Dec 14, 2011 12:44 AM EST up reply actions

psycho and stupid are two completely different things

just sayin…

by Caulfield on Dec 13, 2011 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Cool for me

Ready to buy jerseys for my Willingham relatives

by DJL44 on Dec 13, 2011 7:23 PM EST reply actions

Wait, is there actual confirmation that they've pulled Cuddyer's offer off the table or is that just speculation at this point?

Because I realize it would put them over their mythical budget, but a Willingham, Span, Cuddyer outfield would be nice.

by ColossusOfRhode on Dec 13, 2011 7:27 PM EST reply actions

I'd be for bringing Cuddyer back if they could afford it.

And maybe they can. Maybe ownership says OK under these circumstances.

Ryan has said there’s no hard and fast ceiling for payroll. I do think it’d be a surprise to see Cuddy return, though.

by Jesse on Dec 13, 2011 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Probably won’t fit in the budget, but I would like to see Cuddy still come back.

by Pohshow on Dec 13, 2011 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sorry to see Cuddyer go

but I hope Willingham is part of the solutions to make the Twins winners again.

You have to root for the name on front of the jersey.

by caluofmn on Dec 13, 2011 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

Eh, I root for both

I still like Torii and Johan. But point taken… still, my sister should have got me a Morneau jersey like I asked and not a Cuddyer jersey and this wouldn’t be an issue! (On the other hand, I was apparently very close to getting Trevor Plouffe, so it could be worse.)

by ColossusOfRhode on Dec 13, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

What did you do?

You must have dented her fender for her to consider giving you a Plouffe jersey.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 13, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

No

They fought over the last drumstick at the thanksgiving table.

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!!!

Check out my eBay items.

by Jessy S on Dec 13, 2011 10:24 PM EST up reply actions

She e-mailed me out of the blue asking for my favorite Twin on the current roster and favorite all-time

I was feeling snarky and didn’t realize it was for a Christmas present so I said Trevor Plouffe (who had played only a handful of games at that point) and Dave Hollins. She said she couldn’t find Hollins, but she was very close to buying Plouffe.

by ColossusOfRhode on Dec 14, 2011 2:27 AM EST up reply actions

I almost got a Cuddyer jersey this season

Glad I held back. I think it’s time to get a TC Bear jersey

by caluofmn on Dec 13, 2011 11:51 PM EST up reply actions

I've got one without a name

You can also get those customized ones with your name on it.

Bye-bye Cuddy. The “magic” is gone! Hopefully Willingham has a little personality and Cuddyer makes some NL team very happy.

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Dec 14, 2011 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

That would be nice

I’ll miss Cuddy.

by Gunnarthor on Dec 13, 2011 9:16 PM EST up reply actions

Very happy.

I did not expect this to happen, but it was the right choice.

"I wanted to do it because it's fun, it's fun to do bad things and drive into a car."

by PurplePeopleEaters on Dec 13, 2011 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Great take on the objective vs subjective debate.

Totally agree. I certainly wish Cuddy nothing but the best. He has been a fantastic Twin.

Snarkily, I am glad that we will never have to see him play 2B again.

Let loose the hogs of war!
Dogs of war..
Whatever farm animal of war, Lana...

by darren004 on Dec 13, 2011 7:48 PM EST reply actions

We could sign him as a set up man though!

Remember, remember the seventh of November.

by Go Twins! on Dec 13, 2011 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

I think that'll be my favorite memory of the guy

Steve Goodman lives.

by twinsbrewer on Dec 14, 2011 1:28 AM EST up reply actions

He's not dead

He’s not even officially gone yet…

But that being said, I’m still sad he never pulled a Tovar.

by ColossusOfRhode on Dec 14, 2011 2:31 AM EST up reply actions

"he's not dead"

“he thinks he’ll go for a walk”

“just resting”

by DJSkillz on Dec 14, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

do we play the Rockies in Interleague this year?

mauer might not ground into so many DPs to 2nd if Cuddyer is manning the MI for Colorado!

I don't know, but I've been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
'the other hand, I've heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

by montanatwinsfan on Dec 13, 2011 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

We are not scheduled to do so.

However, hopefully both teams make the World Series.

That could be some headache for the MLB front office though.

Game 2 of the series postponed for a day due to a snowstorm in Denver and then
Game 3 of the series postponed for a day due to a snowstorm in Minneapolis.

Check out my eBay items.

by Jessy S on Dec 13, 2011 8:54 PM EST up reply actions

What's left?

Sign Saunders and Harden. Trade Blackburn for a reliever. Sign another reliever. Find a bench bat cheap.

by DJL44 on Dec 13, 2011 7:55 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Jonathon Niese

How about him for a starter?

by WSBound2010 on Dec 13, 2011 8:13 PM EST reply actions

Ok player, but I don't think the Mets are ready to part with him.

Check out my eBay items.

by Jessy S on Dec 13, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

Goodbye Cuddyer

your time with us was much appreciated and your clubhouse presence will be missed but 30+ was way to much. Glad to see them stop playing the waiting game maybe we can get a decent starter now, what does the market for Kuroda look like.

first-worst-first?

by holymackerel on Dec 13, 2011 8:33 PM EST reply actions

Kubel?

Anyone think we could still sign Kubel? Hes cheaper than Cuddyer, and in the prime of his career. It would push Doumit to the bench but with health conerns for Span, Mauer, and Morneau it would be nice to have an extra guy. I think somwhere around 3 years 18 million would be a great deal for a guy who can hit 280 with 25-30 homers and he wont have to face lefties as much with the depth we would have with Doumit

by bighead306 on Dec 13, 2011 9:00 PM EST reply actions

This is what I think

I think there is still a chance either ~~Cuddyer or~~ Kubel comes back yet.

Remember, remember the seventh of November.

by Go Twins! on Dec 13, 2011 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

wholeheartedly agree...

I’d still love to have Kubel back. I still think he’ll be the best of the 3 over the next 3 years, production-wise. And I don’t care about the lefty thing; teams face far more righties than lefties anyway. Would love to see Kubes back.

Hope this is true; it’s the right move. That said, I am sad to see Cuddy go. He’s meant a lot to this organization and I’ll always like/respect him. He should have been our team’s answer at 3b for the last 10 years or so, but oh well; that’s on Gardy. Hope he does well with Colorado, Boston, or Seattle. And I hope he comes back to replace Bert as an announcer for us in future years (wouldn’t bet against it).

by DJSkillz on Dec 13, 2011 10:32 PM EST up reply actions

BTW...

let’s hope that Cleveland gets in on Cuddy now that they’ve lost out on Willingham. It would suck to see him in the division 18 games/year, but if Cleveland signs him we’d basically have the #15 pick in the draft (top 10 picks are protected under the new CBA; Cleveland would then have the #16 pick as Cuddy’s a modified Type A).

by DJSkillz on Dec 13, 2011 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

Kubel's kind of a mystery.

There’s been very little heard about him so far. I think there’s a decent chance he becomes one of the better deals of this offseason, and if so hopefully the Twins can be the one to get him.

by timprov on Dec 14, 2011 2:21 AM EST up reply actions

agreed..

i’m really shocked by it; i thought the market would be stronger for him than either Cuddy or Willingham, though the fact that they became “modified type a’s” changed that a bit.

the only thing that worries me is that if kubel is forced to take a short-term deal you’d think he’d be gone. he’d probably want to hit in a better park to have a big stats season and cash in bigtime a year or two from now.

by DJSkillz on Dec 14, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

The Beard is still not ready to talk to other teams

it will only speak when it is ready.

by caluofmn on Dec 14, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

lol

by DJSkillz on Dec 14, 2011 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe they couldn't offer him anything until the Willingham/Cuddy thing was done

I’m still hoping they can fit Kubel in the budget now that they won’t be spending exorbitantly on Cuddyer. No activity doesn’t necessarily mean no interest. Wishful thinking I know. But if Kubel is the primary DH, we upgrade the backup catcher job tremendously.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 14, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

I like it. I'm ready for some fresh faces.

Turn the page and all that. Willingham’s a nice player too. This is feeling much more like two offseasons ago, when the team kept making sensible middle-sized moves that addressed needs, as opposed to last offseason, which was…worse.

by Luke in MN on Dec 13, 2011 9:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

"Worse"

The understatement of the century.

FREE AIRWOLF!

ROHLFING!!!!!

by d-mac on Dec 13, 2011 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

True

We traded JJ Hardy for a bag of beans.

Check out my eBay items.

by Jessy S on Dec 13, 2011 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Wasn't even a bag...

It was a handful, two.

Free Rick. I mean, Chuck James!
No, I didn't spell Maurer wrong. But I do get asked if I'm related to Joe a lot.

by Maurer Power on Dec 13, 2011 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

Correction

It was a half a bean. Joe Mauer ate a portion and passed it around to some teammates. Cuddy was nowhere to be found because he was having sex at the time.

Check out my eBay items.

by Jessy S on Dec 14, 2011 2:04 AM EST up reply actions

This is just what I wanted to hear!

I will certainly miss Cuddy, he will always be a Twin to me, but he was too expensive and now we get some goddamn draft pics.

FREE AIRWOLF!

ROHLFING!!!!!

by d-mac on Dec 13, 2011 9:40 PM EST reply actions

+1!

by DJSkillz on Dec 13, 2011 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

Joe C says

It will be around 3 years, 21 million.

"I learned something yesterday. No use in having rules if there's no punishment for breaking them. You'll be fine if you bite down on the trigger. Enjoy your breakfast."

by John_Locke on Dec 13, 2011 11:14 PM EST reply actions

nice deal...

I didn’t think he’d get 3 years, but this is still a decent deal for us.

by DJSkillz on Dec 13, 2011 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

We shall see

I really wanted Cuddyer to stay and even a three year $21M contract will almost certainly end his time in Minnesota. The only scenario that brings Cuddy back is a Morneau injury or retirement.

Willingham looks to be a decent get. I don’t know, but I expect one more signing, probably a pitcher.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Dec 14, 2011 12:27 AM EST reply actions

The nice thing about Willingham is his versatility...

I mean, the guy can play 1b and even C if needed.

(note: this is a joke about the ridiculousness about Cuddyer being “versatile” still and/or some logic that can/should play 2b or 3b at any point at this point in his career)

by DJSkillz on Dec 14, 2011 12:33 AM EST reply actions

7m a year is about all I would pay for him.

And I’d prefer 2 years, 3 is stretching it perhaps. He’s 33 and (it appears) didn’t adjust well to the AL last year. His K% went up 8-9%, while his BB% went down by 5%.

That being said, I do like the signing. He is a good RH bat with “pop”. Shouldn’t see the field too much as he’s basically a DH at this point in his career. Will help the Twins.

"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona." ~George F. Will

by SooFoo Fan on Dec 14, 2011 6:57 PM EST reply actions