Twins Offseason Retooling

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DanLandherr		#21	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 2705 (10/03/08 8:41 AM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	What Souhan thinks 1. Trade Young while there still might be general managers (Jim Bowden of the Nationals?) foolish enough to take him. 2. Acquire a power righthander for the bullpen. Don't count on Pat Neshek coming back at full strength, or on Matt Guerrier or Jesse Crain filling that role. Be proactive. 3. Pursue Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. The M's asking price was exorbitant this summer. Try again, because Beltre's power righthanded bat in the No. 5 hole would make this a much deeper, better, lineup, and lineup depth is as important in October as pitching depth is during the summer. 4. Find an everyday shortstop who can hit. Orlando Cabrera is a free agent, and he would produce double the RBI of a traditional Twins shortstop. Or move Alexi Casilla to short and find an everyday second baseman who can hit. Don't expect choppers and bunts to be as productive in 2009 as they were in 2008. 5. For once, instead of thinking long-term, recognize that your best players -- Mauer, Morneau, Nathan -- are healthy and in their primes. Try to win it all before that changes. ------------- I like the idea of Delmon Young for Ryan Zimmerman, in fact I'd be all over that one. I have doubts it could happen. I'm really liking the Orlando Cabrera idea. I don't know if they could get him on a 2 year deal but that would be preferred.
Sarah0633		#22	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 2676 (10/03/08 8:58 AM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The fact that I echo other's thoughts that we need help on the left side of the infield and in the bullpen shows that those are two glaring weaknesses on this team. I think it was Earl Weaver who once said, "Do you know what you do when you think you have enough pitching? You go out and get more pitching." I agree with golfboy, what's so wrong about Cuddyer at 3B? He's certainly no worse than Buscher defensively and he's got a great arm. Unless Michael doesn't want to play there or there is some other reason we're not aware of...I doubt you're going to get a good deal in return for Cuddyer if you trade him considering his injury problems this year and his contract. I'm willing to give Young and Gomez a little more time- they are only 22 years old for pete's sake. Agreed, lots of great analysis here!
golfboy10		#23	[-]
5-Tool Player Posts: 365 (10/03/08 9:04 AM) 5-Tool Player More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	A few months back I suggested Beltre was someone the Twins might go after. At that time you said... "Beltre is terrible. The Twins may as well just play Buscher and hope for the best" I guess Beltre must have gotten a lot better since then. If I was choosing I would pick Beltre over Kouzmanoff but you would have to factor in that Beltre would be a one year rental. You would need to get Beltre at a reasonable cost. Putting Kouzmanoff in the same lineup as Gomez & Young would give the Twins 3 free swinging, non walking players. Having three players who all strike out over 100 times while only walking 25 times is autrocious. And none of them are even hitting 30+ HR's to make up for their poor plate discipline. I wouldn't trade Gomez unless they got an offer they couldn't refuse. I thought he should have started the year in AAA & he makes a lot of mistakes but he IS improving. He showed much better AB's at the end of the year. He plays hard, he plays with enthusiasm (sp) & he has tremendous upside potential.
drfoss		#24	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 2998 (10/03/08 9:06 AM) Hall of Famer More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Unless Michael doesn't want to play there or there is some other reason we're not aware of... I've read from several places that Cuddyer is deaf in his left ear, so he has issues playing on the left side of the field (3B/LF) because he has trouble hearing his teammates. I don't know why that never came up when he was in the minors, though.
golfboy10		#25	[-]
5-Tool Player Posts: 366 (10/03/08 9:25 AM) 5-Tool Player More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I heard that about Cuddyer also although I don't recall if he has partial hearing or is completely deaf. I "thought" it was partial but I'm not certain. IIRC, he has had this issue since HS so how he managed to play SS & 3rd in the minors & earlier in his ML career & now it is a problem is hard to understand. Maybe it's just me. but I don't think that is the overriding factor why he moved to RF. He was NOT that bad at 3rd. He was a young player & he was pressing some but that shouldn't be an issue anymore. Back then Gardy kept jerking him around..play him a few games, then bench him. Play him @ 2nd, then 3rd, send him to the minors, etc, etc. If Cuddyer feels he can't do it....then don't but if he is willing to try it I think it is something the Twins should consider. Cuddyer is a hard worker so I think he would improve if given the chance. Think of how bad Koskie was at 3rd when he started. Or how much Morneau has improved at 1st in the last several years. It's not impossible that Cuddyer could be a solid 3rd baseman.
DanLandherr		#26	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 2706 (10/03/08 10:32 AM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Cuddyer's going to be 30 and hasn't played 3rd in 3 seasons. People don't usually get better defensively as they age which would explain why he could handle it when he was younger but can't now. Crowd noise is louder in the majors than it is in the minors. I would agree that it isn't impossible that Cuddyer could play 3B next year, it also is unlikely. The Twins shouldn't bank on unlikely.
golfboy10		#27	[-]
5-Tool Player Posts: 367 (10/03/08 2:35 PM) 5-Tool Player More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, in the last few seasons they have banked on Tony Bautista, Jeff Cirillo, Nick Punto & Brian Buscher to play 3rd. The only one of those that could even catch a cold was Punto...& he hit about .199 with ONE HR playing 3rd. I fail to see how Cuddyer could do worse. One FA who is a power righhander is Juan Cruz. He probably won't come cheap since everyone & their brother is looking for power righhanders for the BP. Maybe they can take a flyer on LaTroy Hawkins, although he pitched so well for Houston they might make him a nice offer. I don't know what they plan for Boof but I still think he has potential as a RP. I don't see the Twins going after Orlando Cabrera. I've heard different stories about what a bad teammate he is dating back to Boston.There was a reason Boston let him go after he helped them win the WS....& the Angles got rid of him. And the Twins could live with Punto/ Tolbert or Harris playing SS if they improve a few other spots. Fix the BP & 3rd base.....then see what happens at SS.
malete		#28	[-]
Utility Player Posts: 1 (10/03/08 5:11 PM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I liked the idea of a Juan Cruz for the bullpen as well, or someone like Dan Wheeler. Problem is they're both projected to be type A free agents, and the Twins would never give up the draft pick. I could see someone like Hawkins signed for added 'pen depth.
HallseyHall		#29	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 2047 (10/06/08 9:36 AM) Hall of Famer More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Cuddy's completely deaf in that ear. He won't be back playing 3rd base. If I recall, he never told anyone. He adjusted, turning his body when talking to someone on that side, including me, and hid the fact very well. When he was playing 3rd for the Twins, he came out with the fact. You've got to hear the ss at this level, as the ss can read the signs from the catcher better than the 3rd baseman. Listening to Molitor on the radio, he mentions the outfield positions needed to be addressed, with one to many for the positions. He didn't seem to have any indications as to what the FO direction would be, but mentioned Gomez to AAA for awhile as a possibility. I'd go for that, or trading Young. There's certainly alot of good thoughts posted in this thread. Bill Smith has to be looking at improving the left side also, and there should be a ton of money available to spend this off season. I thought he did ok last season, and I don't think he'll be slow to correct any mistakes he felt he may have made. It'll be interesting. "You're only as good as your next pitcher. Don't ever forget it." Tom Kelly
DanLandherr		#30	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 2707 (10/06/08 11:45 AM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The Cubs may still be interested in Brian Roberts, the Twins should be calling to see if they can take a surplus infielder off their hands (Cedeno, Theriot, Fontenot). The Cubs will also potentially have a big hole to fill in CF if they think Felix Pie is a bust. This is also the time to buy low on Fukodome. I think there's a match where both teams could benefit. A 3-way trade with the Orioles could work with Andy MacPhail as a former executive for the Twins and the Cubs. I think Smith, Hendry and MacPhail could work together without being unreasonable. It would help that the Orioles are looking to shed veterans, the Cubs are looking to acquire veterans and the Twins are looking for specific upgrades while having pitching to offer (Boof, Humber, Guerrier, Duensing, etc). The Twins have $$ to grease the skids also and might be able to get their SS if they take on Melvin Mora's contract (for example). Here's a swag that I'm sure has a lot of holes in it but would be a good place to start. Orioles shed: Brian Roberts (1 year $8M), Melvin Mora (1 year $8M, 2010 option with $1M buyout and full NTC which may require a team to guarantee the option), Aubrey Huff (1 year $8M), Danys Baez (1 year $6M) Cubs shed: Ronny Cedeno, Kosuke Fukodome (3 years $38M), prospect, cash Twins shed: Bonser or Humber, Guerrier, Brendan Harris, prospect Cubs get: Aubrey Huff, Brian Roberts, Danys Baez Orioles get: Kosuke Fukodome, Brendan Harris, Boof Bonser or Phil Humber, Matt Guerrier, prospects, cash Twins get: Melvin Mora, Ronny Cedeno
jianfu		#31	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1157 (10/06/08 12:17 PM) Hall of Famer More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	If Zimmerman's available, he'd be pretty much exactly what the doctor ordered for the Twins. Jim Bowden and the Nats have gone for guys like Delmon Young before. (They could even keep older brother Dmitri around to help him out.) Sid speculated in his Sunday column that they might look to move Young. Of course, he didn't use quotes. Per Jan's rules, we can't read anything into it. ================== Nobody knows nothing. --Joe Posnanski
DefensiveIndifference	Nationals/Orioles Trades	#32	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1378 (10/06/08 1:28 PM) Hall of Famer More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Zimmerman would be a good fit, but I don't know if the Nats are really looking to add yet another OF. They might have to dump Kearns to make that work. Actually, the Twins would have the salary room to take a chance on Kearns rebounding for $8 million for 2009. Zimmerman & Kearns for Young? The Twins would be able to rotate Gomez, Span, Cuddyer, Kubel and Kearns through the OF and DH spots depending on health and matchups. The Orioles are one team that I think about a lot, and I always come away thinking that I don't want any of their players at all. Maybe I've been poisoned by Gladden, etc, who constantly complain about how fundamentally unsound their players are, but I just don't see much there to covet. It's almost like there is an organizational cancer that affects everyone who plays there. Plus, it sounds like MacPhail wants to try to make the Orioles more like the Twins, so how can he get rid of players he doesn't want by dealing with the Twins? The Twins wouldn't want those players either, would they? That's off topic, I guess, but I just don't see the Twins front office thinking any player that the Orioles would trade would be a good fit for what the Twins want to do. Last Edited By: DefensiveIndifference 10/06/08 1:31 PM. Edited 1 times.
jan		#33	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21032 (10/06/08 2:17 PM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	MLB Trade Rumors ponders the offseason outlook of the Twins, including likely salary commitments and potential trade targets.
drivlikejehu		#34	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1838 (10/06/08 2:48 PM) Hall of Famer More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	HallseyHall wrote: I thought he did ok last season, and I don't think he'll be slow to correct any mistakes he felt he may have made. It'll be interesting. You like the early return on the Santana trade? How about the Garza trade? How about the seasons of Lamb and Everett? Doesn't look too good to me. BS needs to make some nifty moves for sure, just to ameliorate the damage he's already done.
Killer4	Organizational Cancers	#35	[-]
Contact Hitter Posts: 164 (10/06/08 3:36 PM) Contact Hitter More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I agree ! Go Twins!
murraygd13	Huff	#36	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1490 (10/06/08 6:46 PM) 5-Tool Player More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Huff to the Cubs doesn't make much sense, I can't see him playing the OF anymore. And the Cubs already have a pretty good 1B and 3B.
murraygd13		#37	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1491 (10/06/08 6:59 PM) 5-Tool Player More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	As much as everyone hopes the Twins would spend some money and go get Cabrera or Furcal. I'm willing to bet give about 10-1 odds that Nick Punto is the shortstop for the team next year. So the only spot to possibly upgrade the lineup would be 3B with all the before mentioned options. I'd prefer a trade for Zimmerman but that would be difficult to make happen, what about Delmon and Blackburn or Perkins, and maybe a prospect for Zimmerman and a relief pitcher. I was thinking Chad Cordero but he will likely be let go by the Nats and someone I'd take a flier on for the bullpen.
jrwilkens		#38	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 8185 (10/06/08 7:06 PM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I would keep in mind that to trade pitching for a decent starting position player will likely require one of our current starters, not our AAAers or relief excess. ------------------- "I can't be upset about what happens," he said. "It's baseball." - Radke
murraygd13		#39	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1492 (10/06/08 8:33 PM) 5-Tool Player More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I would be fine with trading Blackburn or Perkins to get a good third baseman. Not an old guy like Beltre though, someone like Zimmerman, Edwin Encarnacion, Chad Tracy maybe someone in that mold. Boof, Humber, Swarzak or a free agent signee could be 5th starter for next year.
DanLandherr	Cubs retooling	#40	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 2709 (10/07/08 12:33 PM) More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	> Huff to the Cubs doesn't make much sense Joe Sheehan disagrees with you: "adding a lefty batter with some power is the one move that GM Jim Hendry could make that would potentially address a key shortcoming"

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Twins Offseason Retooling