It’s official: Cuddyer to DL; Span promoted
Posted on June 29th, 2008 – 2:16 PMBy Joe Christensen
The Twins made it official, announcing that they will place Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list with a strained tendon in his left index finger and promote Denard Span from Class AAA Rochester.
Span will be at the Metrodome for Monday’s game against the Tigers.
The question now is how Span will be used. As a young player, the Twins want him to play regularly. I think he’ll get most of the starts in right field while Cuddyer is on the DL, but also spell Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young on occasion.
134 Responses to "It’s official: Cuddyer to DL; Span promoted"
first
LOL nice swing Lamb.
Hopefully he hits a grounder next time up and breaks his leg.
This is good. DL plus all star break. Cuddy should come back racking. I would still dump Livan at the deadline for the current need at the time. We have the pitching w/out Livan. Send him and a young pitching prospect to a non contender for one of their hitter’s.
Good one Ewik. You are bwilliant. But I see you didn’t get that diaper changed yet.
Erik,
“LOL nice swing Lamb.
Hopefully he hits a grounder next time up and breaks his leg.”
Hopefully, you will fall out your high chair and break your neck!
Now that the Twins have made the logical move with Span, it’s time to get creative to fortify our bench.
Who has an abundance of lefty hitters that can trade with a team with an abundance of righty hitters? That’s right…The Twins and Brewers.
Bill Hall has gone on record as wanting out of Milwaukee since Branyan has taken over 3d base vs their National League opponents. Yet Branyan can also play 1st and RF. So, I propose the Twins move Lamb, Monroe and Bass to the Crew for Hall.
Why does this make sense? The Crew needs more of a lefty presence in their offense. Lamb (who’s had success in the NL) fits that bill. Monroe replaces Hall’s RH bat, and Bass gives reinforcement to the Crew’s suspect bullpen.
The Twins get a legitimate power threat in Hall (we can live with his K’s), who can play 2B, SS, 3B and the outfield (He did well as the Crew’s CF last year).
The contracts cancel each other out. The Twins bench becomes Redmond, Punto, Span and Hall. They’d have good defense to fill any spot and right/left bat combinations to boot. It gives us the option to sit Gomez, Young, Harris and Buscher as needed.
What do you think?
I would rather have Bass than Bonser
Wittle Ewik, time to wake up from your nap and have mommy check Lamb in the box score.
I hear you Toby, but Bonser has way more trade value than Bass, and I think he’ll turn it around enough to either be valuable to us or in a trade.
Preemptive statistical report for those ready to say the Brewers must suck:
Since May 20, they are 22-9 (minus the 5 games against us, or 24-12 if you want to include those games), prior to the conclusion of June 29 game. Hardly a “sucking” record, but I am confident someone will find something suckable about them to discredit the results so far.
Good info, Carlos G. Thanks and I’m sure you’re right on the gripers.
Bass is more valuable to us now and they would be more likely to do it for bonser. There is no room for Bonser in the rotation. We have Liriano Baker Perkins Blackburn Slowey. And than Mulvey will be ready for a look and so will Duensing. Bonser really isn’t of much use to us and Bass has been outstanding the past few weeks. Bonser has good stuff but he has gotten more than enough chances to prove himself and he hasn’t done it yet.
Carlos G:
Baseball logic sez any fan can claim any team sucks. Just cause.
See Red Sox/Yankees fans for evidence.
The naysayers can say that the Brewers are an NL team but that lineup is an AL lineup all the way. And we tagged their best pitcher pretty well so there isn’t a whole lot they can say because the brewers are a very good and very hot ballclub.
Once again Toby, I agree with you on all points EXCEPT Bonser has way more trade value than Bass based on his stuff and his past success as a starter (however brief).
And Mulvey/Duensing are ready to fill the long spot that Bass occupies.
wow. three-hit shutout and eight of nine guys with hits.
nice way to start the second half.
Let’s hear it for SLOWEY, Delmon, all of the PUPS. Great show, Twins. And Ewik can go suck on his nippled bottle of Shirley Temples. Congrats Kevin Slowey on a great pitching performance, and to all of the Twins on an awesome shutout of the Mighty Brewers. I am jazzed with these pups.
Can you imagine the Brewers blogs?
Getting 3 crummy hits off a no-name pitcher!
(who happens to be very skilled today)
I wonder how many of the Brewers “fans” from last night took off after the 5th inning today?
But go figure, Twins lose only 2 games over the last two weeks and Detroit manages to CLOSE THE GAP while the Sox stay ahead.
Again, reminds me of 2006 (stritcly based on what’s going on, not saying it’s going to happen again)
It was funny looking at the paper this morning and seeing the Twins a year ago today were about the same record, but 7 back.
A moht ago, I said that I didn’t think K. Slowey had an out pitch. I’ll gladly dine on crow tonight.
Something’s gotta give with all the outfielders, too. There’s a trade in them thar numbers somewhere, what with Go-Go, Span, Revere & their first round pick.
T, I hear ya. That’s why it’s next to worthless to trade for NLers. They put great stats against mediocre players. Who cares? M. Lamb is a perfect example. Phil Nevin, too.
Gary,
“That’s why it’s next to worthless to trade for NLers. They put great stats against mediocre players. Who cares? M. Lamb is a perfect example. Phil Nevin, too.”
And CARLOS QUENTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or Josh Hamilton.
or Milton Bradley!
O T, always have to have your seperate spin on things…
O T, always have to have your seperate spin on things..
or JD Drew
or Mike Lowell
or Placido Polanco
Ewik? Bwasky? Beneke/Fire?
Come out come out wherever you are! Nap time is over!
Moves I hope the Twins make to keep winning:
Cut/trade Lamb, bring up Macri
Trade Livan, bring up Liriano
Maybe trade Harris/Bonser for guzman
Have the Bench be:
Span
Monroe
Redmond
Punto
Macri
(that would be a perfect bench IMO)
tyler,
5-man bench = 10-man pitching staff.
Not likely.
great game by Slowey and Twin’s hitters.. now Twin’s can have some fun against Tiggers without Maggs
umm.. sane 5 man bench means 11 pitchers…
FIRE,
Only if DH=bench.
FIRE,
Sorry, my math is crap!
mmmhhhh - I have kids so I can’t always jump on the blogs at all hours of the day where are the Kubel and DY haters?? haven’t seen much of Jason lately..
The parallels to 2006 are a little eerie at this point. Front office has a poor offseason (remember Rondell, Batista, and Castro in the opening day lineup?), young players come out of nowhere to take the place of the failed vets, seems like a different hero every game, team gets confidence against NL. Will they continue to roll as they did in ‘06? That was my favorite Twins regular season of all time.
I hated the Livan signing, but I don’t understand some of the grief he gets. He has done exactly what he was signed to do - be an innings eater (appears it’s not the only thing he eats). He had a better start than Blackburn did on Friday and I don’t hear people calling for Blackburn’s trade/demotion.
sane I counted twice to make sure of what i was saying LOL it happens
I have given DY a hard time and am happy for his performance today. I just don’t think he has helped this team much this year yet. Just because I criticize doesn’t mean I’m a hater. Twins fan first and foremost.
Beneke/Fire,
Starting to sound an awful lot like a brand new bandwagon member. And I’m liking it.
Now let’s hear from Ewik and Biwwy Bwasky.
starters:
Mauer, Morneau, Casilla, Guzman?,Buscher, Young, Gomez, Cuddyer, Kubel.
bench:
Redmond, Macri, Punto, Span, Monroe
pitchers = 11
got it!
Guzman would be an one year rental and there is no way that the Twins would give that much for a 30 year old shortstop with career injury history and $4 mil/year. A Bass for Guzman trade reflects probably the value of the 2 players, but I don’t think that Guzman would be part of the solution for the Twins. Harris is fine at short, the dp combo is gelling. Why change? I’d leave the lineup intact. It’s doing fine lately (if it ain’t broke…)
“Harris is fine at short, the dp combo is gelling. Why change? I’d leave the lineup intact. It’s doing fine lately (if it ain’t broke…)”
Amen, thrylos98!
mmmhmm no bandwagon splinters in my butt I realistically accept the Twins for what they are and enjoy when they overachieve
Beneke/Fire,
Ever think of changing your silly moniker to “MAYBE I WAS WRONG ABOUT VAVRA AND GARDY!!!”?
Did you guys see how easily DY swung on his HR? Dude has some pop. I think he surprised himself. Maybe this will be a little kick-start for him…
Hmmm, inside half of the plate, turn on it and hit it over the fence? Yea, that could work.
Good times this weekend. Let’s see what the tiggers bring to town for game.
It might be helpful for Joe C to mention how well they are playing before tomorrow’s game. LOL
At last the Twins will finally have a lea-doff hitter who can get on base. Welcome, Denard Span.
Anyone thinking the Twins should trade Lamb or Monroe, needs to forget it. No team will take either of those two contracts. Not with their pathetic performances. The only way to part with either one, is to release them. This won’t happen with Lamb, because he is signed though 2009. Monroe may get released at some point, this year. There is now only about 1.9 million left to be paid on his contract. As that amount dwindles, it becomes more palatable to unload, and be rid of, yet another mistake.
Especially with Cuddyer on the DL, the cloud on the horizon is LH pitching. Mauer and Morneau have been fine vs. lefties, but Kubel has not. Monroe has been terrible and Buscher has two for 12 vs. lefties and didn’t look very good vs. Parra. Harris hasn’t done well vs. lefties, nor has Delmon. The balanced offense that the Twins put up against Sheets looks very questionable vs. a respectable lefty. In the division, there is Cliff Lee (on track for a Cy), CC (building free-agent or trade value), Buehrle and Robertson, just to name a few. Hopefully, the Twins can hit enough against those guys, but it looks like their Achilles Heel.
if I change my moniker then you would not know it was me.. 
Good! Span has been on fire lately. Let’s see what he can do.
Lamb’s bat could come around, in the part time role he is more accustomed to. He could be useful off the bench. He hit well for the Twins in May. At least he puts the bat on the ball. When Cuddyer comes back, Monroe will probably be released. Either that, or Gomez to AAA.
Hey Craig,
When will Gardy start working Punto in at SS? You predicted that when Punto came off the DL but your boy has been stuck on the bench except for injury duty. What gives?
Since you were wrong on Punto, you might be wrong on Span? I hope he plays well, drives up his trade value so we can get a nice piece or two for him.
And good for you FIRE. I gotta a lot of respect for you sticking to your guns.
Beneke/Fire,
Oh, I think we’ll all recognize you.
Gomez to AAA not very likely
Cuddyer is out until 7/12. There is one game (7/13) until the All Star break. Games resume on 7/18. I think that if Span continues to perform well, the team might go down to 11 pitchers for the last 10 games of July and the month of August. I expect some tweaking to address the team’s weaknesses (hitting LHP and pitching on the roas), but nothing major on the batting side. Span and Mornoe are different players and with Monroe out of there, there is a need for a power RH bat. An interesting available possibility as a year and a half rental, might be Adrian Beltre (he is due $6 mil for the rest of 2008 and $12 for 2009 and hitting lefties at a .350/.458/.533 pace this year), if Seattle eats half of his salary…
“Hey Craig,
When will Gardy start working Punto in at SS?”
Right after Punto replaces Morneau at 1B.
Also a Craig suggestion from the offseason - admittedly before he became “new and improved”.
sid,
Of course, I never suggested Punto replace Morneau. That’s real funny, though.
JP,
Span will work his way into the line-up. I think he has more talent than any of the other players who would remotely fit the category of OF. I see Span, talent wise, somewhere between Rod Carew and Lyman Bostock. He’s going to be a good one.
Gardy wants Nicky at SS, but Gardy doesn’t change things up when the team is rolling. That’s what Nick said, also. He knows Gardy, and isn’t expecting to play right now. There is a lot of season left. Nicky will be in there. Don’t get excited. Gardy is a little superstitious, or something. Once they hit a spell of losing too much, Gardy will make the needed change.
Lamb had one hit today. OMFG WHAT A STUD! I WAS WRONG ABOUT HIM!
Sorry idiot apologists, its another failed signing for a sorry organization that has added Tony Batista, Juan Castro, Jeff Cirillo, Ramon Ortiz, Adam Everett, Craig Monroe, Ruben Sierra, Jose Offerman and other losers in recent years.
Keep drinking the kool aid, dolts.
I see Span, talent wise, somewhere between Rod Carew and Lyman Bostock
that’s an understatement. Are you sure it isn’t somewhere between Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio? (or Jason Tyner and Lew Ford?)
This team has an interesting problem with Span. After this year he is out of options, which means that he has to make the 25 man roster next year or he is a free agent. Next year Monroe will not be with the team. There is no way that Young or Gomez will not be starting. This call up is make it or break it for both Span and Cuddyer (esp. Cuddyer). If Span does not prove that he can be a starter in the bigs, he will be the 4 outfielder next year. If Span performs and wins a starting job, there is no way that Cuddyer (and his $9 million) will sit on the bench next year. Unless there is a move to 3rd in his future, Cuddy might be the odd man out…
I rather doubt that Benke and Fire are the same person. Originally, I thought that they probably were, but Fire is at least optimistic about some things. Seems like Benke is always, always on the pessimistic side of the fence, with nary a good word to say about anything. Must be really hard to live life that way, but hey, to each his own.
BTW FIRE, when you gonna put Punto back into your moniker???
How is Span out of options when 2008 is his first season in the majors?
I don’t understand why everyone keeps getting mad at me. All I said was that I wanted Lamb to get hurt so he would be able to sit on the DL instead of on the bench. He really sucks, but if you guys want to see him out there, go right ahead and get him out there, at least that way he can go the way of the rest of the infielders. You know, getting hurt and all.
The way I see it, the sooner he gets on the DL, the sooner we get Macri back up here, and then you will all be happy that Lamb went on the DL too.
Don’t hate on me for stating aloud what all of you are thinking anyway.
Peter,
same way that Bass was out of options at the beginning of this year without playing an inning in the majors
In other words, if a player is on the 40-man roaster for 3 years and does not make next years’ 25 man roster with a ML club, he is a free agent.
Look at Spans Minor league numbers and then look at Jason Tyners. They are the same player even with the same noodle arm.
I’m not too worried about Span making next year’s team, in any case. Monroe will certainly be gone, and hopefully the infield hash will be somewhat straightened out, freeing up some roster spots. Cuddyer to third is an intriguing idea - maybe a few years of MLB experience would help him get past the issues he had there before, which seemed to be mental as much as anything else.
I’m not for making a lot of trades in the present circumstances.
I’m glad Span is getting a call and will have several weeks or more to audition. We need to give these kids a chance to show what they’ve got to help decide where/when/what to fill in.
Sure, If Livan brings a prospect at the deadline, that’s fine. Similar for Monroe & Lamb.
Since, I don’t really expect the team to contend, yet I have been pleasantly surprised so far, it’s find out what we have so we know for sure what we need.
Span may well have turned the corner like Casilla.
Regards,
Erik, it is never, ever, okay to wish someone to get hurt, even the opposing team. Creates nothing but bad Karma, and it is nothing to be proud of either.
If someone gets hurt, it is part of the game, and it happens, but to be happy about it is just plain wrong.
When I played sports as a kid, I always wanted to play against the best the other team had to give. As a player, you never want to see an opposing player to get hurt, and when it does happen, well, you grimace too, since you can actually feel the pain abit yourself.
I realize that you probably never played competitive sports, but it is pretty much a universal thing that players respect each other. Can’t say the same thing for the fans of the teams though, as evidenced by your spouts of lunacy.
A very impressive series win for the Twins, given the Brewers recent play. I’ve got one major issue with the Twins-Brewers ‘rivalry’, however.
…and that is Fox Sports North choosing to make this a love fest between the two teams. I know FSN has the rights to broadcast both teams, and they share assets, but that doesn’t mean we have to hear constant friendly banter about the Brewers on a Twins broadcast.
What exactly is wrong with fans wanting to not like their geographical rival? Think Michigan-Ohio State, Browns-Steelers, Lakers-Kings, Rangers-Flyers, Yankees-Red Sox, and even Vikings-Packers.
Wisconsinites are fine people, but sports allows us to vent vicariously through our teams. I’m not talking fights or knuckleheaded behavior. I just think Dick and Bert were too busy lavishing praise on any number of Brewers players, and then we get to watch that player get a key hit or out against us.
Something not right about that. I don’t like the Brewers, plain and simple, and I want to see them lose especially against my team. Minnesota ‘nice’ makes for lame rivalries, period.
Read this post & tell me whether I’m a ‘bandwagon jumper’:
thrylos 98
Close on how optins work but to be percise. This is how they work.
After three years as a pro, a player must be protected on a team’s 40-man roster, or he is eligible for the Rule 5 draft (more on that later). Once he’s served those three years, and assuming he is added to the 40-man roster, his club then has what are called “options” on him.
When a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the 25-man Major League roster, he is on “optional assignment.” One common misconception about the rules is that a player may only be “optioned out” three times. Actually, each player has three option years, and he can be sent up and down as many times as the club chooses within those three seasons.
When you hear that a player is “out of options,” that means he’s been on the 40-man roster during three different seasons, beginning with his fourth as a pro, and to be sent down again he’ll have to clear waivers (more on those below).
gpfan,
exactly on options, but this is on minor league free agency…
Each player has three option years, and he can be sent up and down as many times as the club chooses within those three seasons
and after 3 years in 40-man rosters (doesn’t have to be with the same parent club), if he does not make a 25-man roster, he is a free agent
Span can be moved up and down 50 times this year, but next year he either makes the Twins’ roster or he is a free agent (who has to pass waivers to go back to minors and all that jazz)
Here’s hoping Gardy will bat Span 1st & GOGO 9th. What a track team; GOGO, Span & Casillia. Should be interesting to see 3 consecutive bunts in a row for hits. How often does that happen?
Keep drinking the kool aid, dolts.
Poor Erik. Twins win and he has nothing to whine about.
It’s funny how people think guys like Macri, Span, and Buscher are the answers to saving this franchise because of a two-week sample size. Lamb hit .300 for the month of May, far longer than Buscher, Macri, or Span have been up. No one seemed to praise or care about that fact. But when he goes into an eight-game slump (albeit, an enormous slump in which he went 1-24), people here want him executed or something.
Span’s numbers in AAA are impressive, but they were good when he got called up last time too. Did just completely forget that he put up a line of .258/.324/.258 (which is awful) and also carefully deposited a fly ball from Pudge over the right field fence to give him a HR?
I realize it’s a small sample size, but then again, small sample sizes seem to be all the majority of the readers here care about.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The best thing Span can do for us is look somewhat impressive so that we can put him in a Padres uniform and get Kevin Kouzmanoff from them in return.
You want someone to help hit LHP? Kouzmanoff’s career against lefties: .335/.365/.558 makes for a career OPS of .923 against them. Finally solidifies 3B for us and acts as the run-producing right-handed bat the Twins thought they’d get when they signed Cuddyer long-term.
I don’t think our lineup’s bad at all right now, it’s obviously working. I agree with the “if it ain’t broke” mentality, but I think when a no-brainer comes around, you can always improve:
2B - Casilla
C - Mauer
3B - Kouzmanoff
1B - Morneau
DH - Kubel
LF - Young
RF - Cuddyer
SS - Harris
CF - Gomez
That looks like a far more solid lineup to me. Cuddyer, Young, and Kubel could be mixed and matched, but I think Kubel offers Justin the most protection right now. The Padres have said they’ll shop Kouz with Headley in the bigs now… I say another strong RH bat is more valuable than another slap-hitting speedy outfielder.
Am I the only person wondering what cosmic alignment has all of us suggesting “Guzman” and “trade” in the same sentence….
I mean, if he can help…he can help…but man. That’d be a WEIRD homecoming.
ME TOO - no reason to acknowledge PUNTO until GARDY remembers his love crush on him and makes him the starter at SS - right now the manager is actually showing intelligence and keeping PUNTO the bench mascot he is - as long as that continues life is good
The Nationals are close to extending Guzman anyway, and want him to stay in the organization. I agree though T, haha, I don’t quite understand where that came from.
Then again, I don’t understand the hype behind Span. Guess I hope he proves me wrong, but man would I love to see him traded…
all this talk of mythical trades is fun to dream about but really does anyone think any significant moves will be made by this year’s trade deadline??
The Padres have said they’ll shop Kouz with Headley in the bigs now…
I’ve heard that to. It’d be nice if the Twins could at least investigate (though I’m guessing they are) to see what it would take.
Hopefully we don’t get sniped by another team. The Sox have Crede (can’t imagine them getting rid of him)
Tigers just got Cabrera (and paid a LOT to do so)
Yankees? A-Rod. Boston? Lowell. Rays? Longoria.
There may be a team in the west. If not, there’s really nobody in the AL that would be BUYING that would have a reason to try and steal him away.
Any trades will be effected by the standings at the end of July. If Twins are in 1st or within a few games, I doubt there will be a trade. If we are in 3rd & 7 games out, you may see some vet’s dumped for A ball prospects. It would be great if Twins traded for right-handed 3rd baseman, but it is unlikely.
I think with the call up of Span they should move Go-Go to the nine slot to take some of the pressure off of him.
no way guzman. Twins would never take him back. Too many injuries, and he is in contract year. Ask washington about his first few years after signed big contract. Also at 30 twins wouldn’t invest money in an old ss..
I could definitley see the Twins pulling off a rent-a0-player trade if it is a player that they could envision signing longterm, kinda like Stewart several years ago, or Reed.
Anyway, the idea of a rent-a-player may sound like a good, but at what cost?
We gave away Bobby Kielty, and at the time, I didn’t think it was a good trade, but like has been proven time and time again, even some “can’t miss” prospects don’t pan out. Just ask the Jays.
looks like bobby kielty is hitting .203 in AAA this year. which means his final big-league at-bat could end up being a world series home run. crazy as hell.
Even if Span only hits .220, which is low, he will likely have a higher OBP than Gomez because he can take a pitch and draw a walk. That also helps Mauer and Morneau - seeing the pitcher’s approach to the lefty. Gomez batting ninth would be a good move - today in the 8th he swung at ALL 4 pitches, including one that bounced a foot in front of home plate for strike 3.
At this point, Span is basically expendable. I don’t think it’s out of the question to see them make a move for Kouzmanoff. I wouldn’t even be surprised to see the Padres approach Minnesota about it.
Gomez is extremely popular with the fans, Cuddyer and Young aren’t going anywhere, and the numbers Span are putting up in AAA are extremely appealing to a team that has been mixing and matching all season to try to find a center fielder and leadoff man.
His skill set fits an NL team perfectly, especially PETCO Park. He doesn’t have much power, but if he can hit the gaps there, with all of the room in the outfield, he can get plenty of extra base hits, particularly triples. Also, his speed is desirable on the other side as well, as covering CF in PETCO is hardly an easy task. You need someone with great speed out there.
Span fits the bill perfectly.
I wanna start an online petition to bring Kouz to Minnesota for Span, haha
We get a young 3B who we can control for years to come; they get an even younger CF they can control for years to come. Everyone’s happy.
Always sounds good on paper when you come up with a trade you like, huh? Haha… too bad the GM doesn’t usually agree.
So another ump playing bigger than the game.
Sox/Cubs tonight. Home plate ump makes a questionable “no swing” call on appeal.
Pinella starts to come out to argue. First base ump motions for him to sit back down.
Pinella turns to go back to the dugout, and the HOME PLATE umpire throws Pinella while Lou’s BACK IS TURNED!
That’s right. Pinella was thrown out by the ump he wasn’t even saying anything to while his back was turned and he quietly trotting back to the dug out.
The Runge “Punishment” sent the wrong message.
Nice pitch Steve. The ONLY drawback at the moment would be the Cuddy injury.
Unless they deal Span for Kouz ASAP and go with Young/Gomez/Kubel in the OF until Cuddy comes back and split Kouz/Buscher at 3B/DH.
Just watched the Sox-Flubs fiasco. Has anyone done (and I know I’m digging deep here) an analysis of how many replacement umpires end up screwing up a game like Drake (HP) and Fairchild (1B) did tonight? I’m no Piniella fan and the Cubs are a pathetic NL team, but those two losers ought to be working sane’s Arena Slo-pitch softball games for guys with 54-in. guts! Just Venting, I guess.
I don’t think I understand this Kouz offer from the Pads’ standpoint - Kouzmanoff is a relatively proven ML ballplayer. Span, while with an upside, is not. You’d have to AT LEAST throw in a pitching prospect plus something else, and I don’t think that’s gonna happen. The franchise does have plenty of pitching talent, but it really is never enough. You send Livan out like everyone wants to, suddenly it’s thinner. Still pretty deep, but thin.
Bottom line: I don’t see the Twins trading pitching and Span for a 3B and I don’t see the Padres trading a solid ML 3B for less than that.
As far any trades go. and the Twins are still in by the end of July. I say Bonser has a better chance of being traded than hernandez. When Liriano comes back and the rotation looks like this perkins, slowey, blackburn, Baker. Then what happens to our innings eater then? another trade? And remember this there are some good pitching prospects that will be brought up maybe as early as next year!
Span is exactly what the Twins need. He fills a huge void. Span has become a very polished player. His pitch selection is excellent. He knows how to get on base. It makes no sense to deal a player like that. The Twins will keep him. The team has had too much loose cannon, and too little polished professional, this year. It’s time to move forward.
T., Honestly, I hadn’t read your post of 10:07 when I made my post. Happy to note that I’m not the only one fed up with mediocre umpiring. Drake provoked an ejection right after missing a called third strike (twice!!!). What a doufuss!. The late, great Al Mc Guire used to always say that the more the official missed the real call, the easier it was for them to over react on the next one and give you the thumb. Proof positive tonight.
(Other) Steve,
The Padres just called up Chase Headley, their top 3B prospect. Kouzmanoff was blocking him, so they moved him to LF, because his offense is so outstanding, but he’s struggling in the enormous PETCO left field. They’re going with it for now, but also have said they’re shopping Kouzmanoff and looking to deal him this year in all likelihood. Yes, Kouzmanoff is a semi-proven MLB player, but he’s also expendable to the organization right now, and I’m sure Span would offer a lot of promise in their eyes. Also, I’m not suggesting it just be a one-for-one deal. The Twins would likely have to add another mid-level prospect. I’m just mentioning the two pieces I feel the deal would be centered around.
As for the Sox/Cubs debacle, I think it’s ridiculous that Lou got tossed with his back turned, while not even having said one word to the home plate umpire.
However, it’s no secret that in baseball you can’t argue balls and strikes. That’s nothing new, and while this is a questionable call, it’s a long-standing rule that Lou knowingly broke. I think doing so in the second inning was a big mistake on his part. But hey, he’s human and he’s passionate. His emotions got the best of him I guess. I’m not saying the ump was right, but this one makes more sense than some others…
Kouzmanoff can’t field, has a low OBP, has stolen one base in his ML career, and K’s too often. He really doesn’t do anything very well. No wonder the Pads want to get rid of him.
The Twins would never trade Span for that schlump.
Lest one forget, there are three good reasoms for the Twins not to trade for Kousmanff. One… wasn’t he the guy who hesitated on the wide ground ball to Buscher on Thursday afternoon and got thrown out at the plate? Two, the Indians traded him for a second baseman while not having an heir apparent to replace him. And three, (and perhaps the MOST important reason), Gladden can’t pronounce his name..he calls him something like “cosmonaut”. What more can possibly be said?
Delmon is doing so much better this year for the Twins, than he did last year for the Rays. His OBP is higher, he’s striking out less frequently, stealing more bases, and scoring a lot more runs. What a nice improvement.
He’s still not a very good player. He has been completely overwhelmed this year, by LF in the Metrodome. Moving Delmon to RF where he belongs, could really help him, and the team. He might be troubled by how over-matched he is in LF, in the dome. It’s pathetic to watch such incompetence. Time to make the position switch.
Yes, Kouzmanoff is a semi-proven MLB player, but he’s also expendable to the organization right now, and I’m sure Span would offer a lot of promise in their eyes.
There is absolutely no such thing as an “expendable” power-hitting, YOUNG major league third baseman. Good fricking God.
Seve -
Kouz probably isn’t going anywhere because Headley can play the outfield…
Khalil Greene is a bit older, a bit more expensive, but he is more likely to be on the block in San Diego.. as is Greg Maddux.
Greene could come in here to play SS, or be moved over to 3rd, he has an amazing arm, and very solid power. He doesn’t hit for a high average, and he doesn’t walk (which means he fits in perfect with Gomez, Delmon Young and the gang.
Maybe Span cf, Robertson sp, Morales ca, and Bonser sp for Greene and Maddux.
what’s going to happen we everyone realizes span and pridie are better than gomez and young, and that we could have had garza and santana and not signed harris or lamb that that we would have won the world series this year?
Once we get Gomez on decaf and let him know that being Reyes Jr. ain’t cool, he and Young will become fixtures on this team.
Scott Boras is Gomez’ agent, so Gomez won’t be around long, anyway. Span is more of a long term proposition, for the Twins.
I’m not sure that Kouzmanoff is an improvement over Buscher/Macri. While the Twins are power-light and speed-heavy, Span does offer a LH bat in the outfield. I doubt he’ll be a Twin when they make their move to the new stadium, but I don’t think he’ll play any more for the Red Wings either. At some point, I believe Denard will be traded.
I don’t think the Twins should trade any more pitching. No one at Rochester has pitched well enough to be promoted, and most of their highly touted young pitchers have struggled in the first half of the year.
Something tells me that one or two more years of 40+ victory margins for the AL over the AAAA NL will bring about some kind of salary cap measure to restore some relevance to the competition. Thus, jerks like Boras are going to fade in importance as “equalization” takes root. Fehr and the union aren’t what they used to be.
i have all kinds of doubts about the new third baseman for the twins fiction. but i do like the idea of a player known as cosmonaut.
Hey MM, Don’t tell me that both the Dazzleman and you are defacto sales reps for Harley-Davidson… one cosmonaut to another!
harleys frighten me in ways that a good fastball never could, daniel. also, i’ve long lived in a different time zone so i’m only slightly familiar with the current voices of the twins (no cable tv, either — it would be too tempting to watch baseball all the time, no?). but, after attending all four home games against the cardinals in ‘87, i certainly know who you mean.
now batting: padres third baseman, kevin cosmonaut.
“what’s going to happen we everyone realizes span and pridie are better than gomez and young, and that we could have had garza and santana and not signed harris or lamb that that we would have won the world series this year?”
PIGS ARE GOING TO FLY!!!!!!
“WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN we everyone realizes span and pridie are better than gomez and young, and that we could have had garza and santana and not signed harris or lamb that that we would have won the world series this year?”
1) I am going to play for the Twins.
2) The sun will rise in the west.
3) I am going to date Angelina Jolie.
4) I am going to become a multi-trillionaire.
5) I am going to win the lottery.
6) I am going to play some musical instrument (could be anything since I currently play none) at Carnegie Hall.
7) I am going to win American Idol because of my awesome singing voice.
I am going to win “Dancing with the Stars” with Jessica Alba as my partner.
That was fun.
Craig,
“Moving Delmon to RF where he belongs, could really help him, and the team.”
Absolutely concur.
He has 70+ games experience in LF and can return there when Cuddyer returns.
NOW it should be Span LF, Gomez CF, Delmon RF and Kubel DH, until Cuddyer’s return. (and possibly beyond)
I’ve always liked Slowey. Now that the bicept injury is healed he’s pitching more like he did in the minors
I don’t think moving Delmon to RF is going to make a difference in how he plays the field. Same mistakes would be made out in RF as he’s making in LF. Plus the Twins want him to play LF.
And I highly doubt that the problem is him being uncomfortable out in LF after 70+ games and a butt load of practice out there.
As a former outfielder I don’t see why so much is being said about LF, CF, RF being so different and that playing out of position is a difficult thing to get used to. I never played pro ball, but still it’s not that hard of a transition.
“You send Livan out like everyone wants to, suddenly it’s thinner. Still pretty deep, but thin.”
I think that’s a risk they could afford to make. Best case scenario, they get a new 3B (and free up Buscher for other trades possibly) who can bolster the lineup, and lose a blocked OFer and innings eater they likely didn’t plan on keeping past 08 anyway.
Worst case scenario, the pitching staff stumbles a bit without Livan (wouldn’t be much worse). Twins miss the playoffs, but have made a trade that doesn’t handcuff them in future seasons. (Kouz stays at 3B, and they have pitchers in AAA and the bigs who have experience and are ready to go in 09).
They are able to stick with the youth movement while still making moves to improve the team now and in the long run.
CMS: I think the “confounding variable” (if that’s the word) for Delmon is that Cuddy had learned how to play the baggie already.
Plus they wanted him to learn the Dome in one position as much as possible, which is why they’ve used Span and Kubel in RF when Cuddy’s not available.
Someone else posted: “I would still dump Livan at the deadline for the current need at the time. We have the pitching w/out Livan. Send him and a young pitching prospect to a non contender for one of their hitter’s.”
So, let’s see if I have this right - a team that isn’t going to make the playoffs is going to give up a hitter for an OLD pitcher who doesn’t get anyone out & an outfield who has little trade value right now - but who COULD still pan out to be the player the Twins thought he could be when making the move. RIGHT - why not say, the Twins should have traded Rincon for a 354 hitter & 3 first round draft picks - since that would sound just a doable.
OOPS, I misread the brilliant posting…
Someone else posted: “I would still dump Livan at the deadline for the current need at the time. We have the pitching w/out Livan. Send him and a young pitching prospect to a non contender for one of their hitter’s.”
So, let’s see if I have this right - a team that isn’t going to make the playoffs is going to give up a hitter for an OLD pitcher who doesn’t get anyone out & young arm? I bet we could get someone like A-Rod, or Manny if we were willing to give up Livan. Now that is thinking outside the box.
Byrd explains HGH, pornography addiction
29 minutes ago :: 75 Views
Indians pitcher Paul Byrd says he did not cheat, even though he used HGH. He had said he used it to treat a tumor. Dan asked him when using something to recover becomes cheating. Byrd made a big distinction as to whether or not the player works with a doctor and uses it with reasonable bounds. Byrd also talks about his faith and issues with porn — especially when he was on the road.
JIMMY BEE:
Where is the article about Paul Byrd? I’m most interested in reading his comments about his faith (hee-hee).
Seriously, what site is it on?
CALL ME STUPID:
Finally, somebody gets it! It’s not like these guys just picked up a baseball! Even in your twenties you’ve been playing some pretty serious ball for years and years.
You just gotta bear down and earn your money. After all, they are rich beyond their wildest dreams and could be punching a time clock.
Lumpy look at the scroll bar on the bottom left side and go downa little bit. It is an article by Andrew Perloff
Here is what Santana is having fun with since he left
Good one about Johan also, jimmy. Johan says he can’t be expected to do EVERYTHING. Somebody posted “He’s right. He was 0-2 at the plate also.”
LOL!
santana got what he wanted and so did the mets, happy days for both. nice to toss your teammates under the bus, guess he’s feeling the big city pressure. 20 mill doesn’t buy what it used to!
If I were Johan I would have liked much better to go to an AL West or NL West team I grew up there and they have no pressure on them to win in comparison to the Eastern division teams.
I think its………”interesting” that of all the old and new Twins who changed uniforms this year, Matt Garza seems to be the only one tearing up the league. At least he “seems” to be.
I think the Twins came out on top though, win-wise and money-wise.
Q & A with Torii Hunter I found:
I fell in love with Andre Dawson, had a jheri curl, had the same batting stance as Dawson, so he was one of my favorite players, but my granddad was the one who actually got me in the game.
HK: Did I hear you say you had a curl? Like a jheri curl?
TH: Yeah, I had a jheri curl, I wanted to be just like Andre Dawson. My hat was greasy and my collar was messed up.
HK: Are you yearning for the days of your jheri curl and praying to grow your hair out or are you shaving now?
TH: Man, I cut it off about 15 years ago, 20 years ago. It went out of style. If you had a curl you’d get laughed at, but now my bald head is slick and the ladies love it.
Tony Oliva …… Rod Carew …… Denard Span
Span has the talent to be the best player on the current team. All he needs is a manager willing to write his name into the line-up everyday. This should have happened since the first day of the season.
The New and Improved Craig what do you think the odds of keeping Livan and Lamb are this year? 3 guys we picked up who I feel will be moved soon are Lamb, Everett and Livan
Break up the Twins! They’ve won 11 out of 12. We need a better bench! We need more hitters! We need more pitchers!
C’mon guys. Stick with the plan: Develop the young kids and watch them out hit and out pitch anybody who might be available to replace them.
jimmy,
I don’t see any team taking Everett or Livan until late August or sometime in September. It would be a waiver deal.
No team will pick up Lamb’s contract. He’s signed through 2009, and the Twins are stuck with him.
I saw Lamb the other day with a Grizzly Adams type beard. I grabbed my baron chin and decided oh boy that would itch. I was on the Wolves Blog for a bit then I felt like I was losing my mind trying to even figure out what sort of logic McFail was using. Then I came to the conclusion that this is a much better use of time to be on the Twins Blog. Whhheew good to be back. The Wolves stink. Blog sweet blog
I see Casilla eventually switching to SS. I think it could happen this year, but Gardy won’t try to make that switch while the team is contending. He will likely be there at the start of 2009. He has the range, and a great arm.
The New and Improved Craig I just went to Blockbuster online and they don’t have Grizzly Adams or BJ McKay and the Bear available. No good Dan Haggerty
I think Lamb sprouted overnight. No five o’clock shadow there.
Some pitchers used to not shave on days they pitched. Wonder what was up with that? Superstition or sweat or something?
