Minny Twinkies

Around the Diamond: Catcher

Malcolm — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:39:25 +0000

While there could potentially be some really interesting spring training battles in Twins’ camp, catcher will certainly not be one of the contentious positions. Barring serious injury Joe Mauer will be the Twins opening day catcher and number three hitter. This, however, does not contend that Mauer won’t be a serious topic of conversation in spring training. Perhaps the most pressing matter for the Twins, much more significant than position competition, will be the ongoing contract negotiations with Mauer. Mauer is a free agent after this season and the Twins have yet to lock him down to a long term deal. General manager Bill Smith will look to get a deal done as soon as possible because Mauer could garner the largest and most lucrative deal ever if put on the open market. With veteran Mike Redmond signing a deal with the Indians in the offseason, Mauer’s backup in 2010 will most likely be Jose Morales, a 27 year old entering his second year in the big leagues. It is unlikely the Morales will see much playing time but he is an adequate insurance policy for Mauer. Further down in the system is highly tauted prospect Wilson Ramos. Ramos will spend 2010 in the minor leagues but the Twins will continue to monitor his development closely as he is one of the more talented youngsters in their system. In short, the status of Minnesota at catcher depends solely on Joe Mauer. If he is healthy and producing than no other team can hope to match the Twins production at that position.

Seven Important Twins Questions

Malcolm — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:40:32 +0000

Special thanks to the White Sox blogger, Howard Bender, for providing the questions. Here we go.

1. I feel like the Twins lack a proven ace in their rotation. Scott Baker has made strides over the last couple of years and Kevin Slowey could be an intriguing #2 so long as he is healthy. But Nick Blackburn has been inconsistent, Carl Pavano is still a huge question mark and who knows what’s going on with Francisco Liriano. How do you see the Twins pitching shaping up for the 2010 season?

1) While the Twins certainly do not have a proven stud at the top of their rotation, Ron Gardenhire and Twins management have absolutely no issue with handing the ball to Scott Baker on opening day. Baker might be the least sexy number one in baseball but he has earned that role through consistency and grittiness. The rest of the rotation is in more of a state of flux. Slowey demonstrated his great talent and potential in 2008, but 2009 saw him struggle with injuries and inconsistency. If he can come back strong, look for Slowey to lock down the number 2 spot in the rotation. After four disastrous years, Carl Pavano seemingly found himself again after being acquired by the Twins. Fourteen wins and almost 200 innings in 2009 demonstrated to Minnesota that Pavano is ready to be middle of the rotation veteran. Now he just needs to lower that ERA closer to 4. I actually disagree with your assessment of Nick Blackburn being an inconsistent pitcher. In fact, Blackburn has been uncannily consistent over the last two years. In 2008, he posted 11 wins, 11 losses, 96 strikeouts and a 4.05 ERA. In 2009 he had 11 wins, 11 losses, 98 strikeouts and a 4.03 ERA. Eerily similar, right? Blackburn came up the Twins system as a highly regarded prospect and hasn’t disappointed in the Majors, however it is time for him to progress from consistent to dominant. Barring something completely unexpected happening, Baker, Slowey, Pavano and Blackburn will be four of the pitchers in the Twins rotation at the start of 2010. The real competition will be over the fifth spot. In terms of pure potential and raw talent, Francisco Liriano has no equal in the Twins organization. However, he’s been such an unmitigated disaster over the last four years that he cannot be relied on in anyway. However some signs are pointing towards a resurgence. Liriano has absolutely torn up winter league ball and is supposedly healthy for the first time in a long while. While the Twins will give Liriano every chance to earn the number five job, there is a strong possibility of him having to work on his consistency and earn the role gradually. Brian Duensing was given a shot in Minnesota after injuries derailed the rotation last year and he ran with that opportunity. Duensing posted a 3.64 ERA in 9 starts and was a large reason that the Twins made the playoffs in 2009. However, he wasn’t ever considered to be all that strong of a prospect so many believe that his 2009 numbers were a fluke. If Liriano and Duensing don’t work out in the five hole, minor leaguers Jeff Manship and Tyler Robertson might be given a shot. Also, when Glen Perkins returns from injury, he could be given a long look for a rotation spot.

2. How do you see the additions of Orlando Hudson and J.J. Hardy impacting your team? Remember, Hardy was demoted for some time last year and the O-Dog was benched by Joe Torre in L.A. in favor of Ronnie Belliard.

2) These additions are huge for the Twins. Going into the offseason the club had relatively few holes but had a really serious dearth of talent up the middle. Before the Hardy and Hudson acquisitions, the Twins were looking at some disastrous Alexei Casilla, Nick Punto, Brendan Harris, Matt Tolbert combination for second base and shortstop. While the both had rather trying years in 2009, they are veteran players that have demonstrated that they can be above average players in the right situation. While the second base job will be handed to Hudson in spring training, Hardy will probably have to compete with some of those listed above for shortstop. The additions were typical savvy Twins moves. They were relatively low cost and provided the squad with an influx of depth and talent at a previously weak position.

3. Better snack cake: the Twinkie or the Choc-o-dile?

3) Is that a joke? Twinkies are delicious and can survive nuclear holocausts. Case Closed.

4. How do you think the move out of the dome will affect the team?

4) Honestly, this is a really difficult variable to judge without having seen any baseball played in the new stadium. People didn’t know what a bandbox New Yankee Stadium would be until there were a record amount of home runs hit there in April. Get back to me mid-April and I’ll be happy to weigh in.

5. If you were to give light-sabres to Ron Gardenhire and Ozzie Guillen, do you think Gardenhire would be able to stand up against Guillen’s Yoda-like acrobatics and prowess?

5) While I would love to say that Gardenhire would hold his own, I can’t. I fear Guillen’s tenacity and speed would combine to destroy Gardenhire within the first thirty seconds.

6. How much sense did it make to you for the Twins to sign Jim Thome? If Delmon Young, Michael Cuddyer and Denard Span are manning the outfield, Jason Kubel was slotted as your full time DH. Now you have 2 DHs that can’t hit lefties. Will Young be riding the pine against righties?

6) The Thome signing was a very low risk move for the Twins so it’s difficult to say anything all that bad about it. He’ll provide the Twins with some much needed lefty power off the bench, but I really don’t see him being in the starting lineup all that often. Delmon Young proved that he is at least a solid major league player, and the Twins won’t take away his at bats just to give Thome a couple of extra swings. This move is very similar to Rockies acquiring Jason Giambi last season. Like Giambi, Thome should provide some pinch hit power as well as some veteran leadership. The deal is only worth 1.5 million so it’s actually a very minimal investment. The only real chance of Thome getting everyday starts is if Young, Kubel or Cuddyer get hurt for a significant period of time.

7. Which is the better movie: Eight Men Out; a riveting, historical docu-drama recounting the trials and tribulations of the misunderstood 1919 Chicago White Sox players who were at the mercy of a tyrannical owner, gamblers and corruption or Little Big League, the madcap adventures of 12 year old Billy Heywood as he inherits the Twins from his dead grandfather and appoints himself the manager? Oh yeah, and it starred Timothy Busfield as the Twins best player.

7) The might be blasphemous according to White Sox fans but I’ve never actually seen Eight Men Out. I’ll have to assume that the movie is a somewhere between two other Cusak classics, Serendipity and 2012. In which case it would be awesome. But, Little Big League is a childhood classic, so I’m going to go with that.

The Spring Training Showdown: Twins vs. Red Sox

Malcolm — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:11:55 +0000

The coming weeks are some of the most exciting for true baseball fans. February sees the offseason come to a close and preparations for opening day begin. Looking ahead one cannot help but be excited for spring training battles within the club as well as with other teams, especially the Boston Red Sox. The Twins and Sox meet an astounding seven times in spring training, including three straight games to kick of the preseason for both clubs. The winner of the spring training series will be awarded the Mayor’s Cup, something that has become more revered than world series rings in the minds and hearts of Boston and Minnesota players. The Twins have lost these clashes for the last three straight years and are desperate to see the Mayor’s Cup return to Minnesota. Don’t allow the difference in the clubs’ financial means to forecast the outcome for you. Despite the Boston having a payroll two times as much as that of Minnesota, the Twins are a punchy club that has much more offensive firepower than the Red Sox. The JV Yankees lack star power and have a dearth of talented young players in their system, while the Twins have designated superstars, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, and an all around young and dynamic club. My crystal ball tells me that small market will prevail over big market and the Mayor’s Cup will be returning to Minnesota in 2010.

Twins Sign the O-Dog

Malcolm — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:02:52 +0000

The Twins have finally started addressing some of the pressing offseason needs, albeit rather late in the offseason. Adding Jim Thome gives manager Ron Gardenhire a power lefty bat off the bench as well as a potential designated hitter candidate. The Twins made an even more significant move on Thursday night, signing second baseman Orlando Hudson to a one year, 5 million dollar contract. The O-Dog is a significant upgrade over whatever Nick Punto-Alexi Casilla experiment the Twins were planning on using. Hudson bring with him four gold gloves, as well as a very solid bat. While Hudson is by no means a star, he will bring consistency, defense and veteran leadership to a club that has struggled to make a deep run in the playoffs in recent years, despite having a very talented roster. Looking over the Twins depth chart, it seems that third base is the only hole in the field that they need to fill, if they want to avoid the Brendan Harris-Danny Valencia experience. Hudson is another cheap and savvy move by one of the consistently best run teams in baseball.

Twins Sign Jim Thome

Malcolm — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:19:12 +0000

The Twins made their first big free agent move of the offseason, signing veteran slugger Jim Thome to a one year, 1.5 million dollar deal. The Twins were desperately looking for some depth, power and experience to add to their bench and Thome fulfills all three of those needs. While Thome is certainly past his prime at the age of 39, he can still provide the Twins with timely, clutch hits and a veteran presence in the clubhouse. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire called Thome, “a great player, a great hitter and great for our clubhouse.” Last season, Thome was able to post 23 homer runs and 74 RBIs in a mere 107 games. While Minnesota has Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel firmly entrenched at first base and designated hitter respectively, Gardenhire will find ways to get Thome’s dangerous bat into the lineup. As of right now, it looks as though Thome will have to do most of his damage as a late-inning pinch hitter and occasional spot starter. Even limited to a bench role, there is no question that the future hall of famer will have a significant impact on the 2010 Twins.

Twins Avoid Arbitration With Eight Players

Malcolm — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:08:01 +0000

The Twins entered Tuesday, January 19, with eight arbitration eligible players, including several who were integral cogs of last season’s squad. However, by the day’s end, all eight had signed deals for the 2010 season. Brendan Harris, the clubs 29 year old utility infielder, was the only player to sign a multi-year deal, earning 3.2 million over two years. Carl Pavano rejuvinated his career in 2009 and saw a big jump in pay as a result, getting the most of the group with a one year, 7 million dollar deal. Pavano will provide a veteran prescence in a young pitching staff in 2010. Delmon Young finally started to live up to his massive potential last season and saw his salary more than double to 2.6 million. Young staked his claim to the starting left field job in 2009 and should continue to hold it down in the future. Newly acquired J.J. Hardy saw the second most money come his way on Tuesday, getting a one year, 5.1 million dollar deal. Hardy will compete for the starting shortstop job in spring training. Francisco Liriano was an absolute disaster in 2009, but his potential alone was enough to earn him a raise from 430,000 dollars to 1.6 million. The Twins will look for Liriano to regain his 2005 form in 2010. Three of the Twins’ most valued relief pitchers, Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain and Pat Neshek, also earned significant raises. While Neshek is returning from ligiment-replacement surgery, Guerrier and Crain will be looked to to anchor the Twins’ bullpen with Joe Nathan and Jon Rauch.

Twins Invite 14 Non-Roster Players to Spring Training

Malcolm — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:26:02 +0000

The Twins took another step towards formulating their opening day roster by inviting fourteen non-roster players to spring training. Among those chosen were four pitchers, three catchers, three infielders and four outfielders.

- Jose Lugo, Pitcher

- Mike Maroth, Pitcher

- Anthony Slama, Pitcher

- Kyle Waldrop, Pitcher

- Jair Fernandez, Catcher

- Danny Lehmann, Catcher

- Danny Rams, Catcher

- Chris Parmelee, First Base

- Brock Peterson, First Base

- Steve Singleton, Infielder

- Brian Dinkleman, Outfielder

- Juan Portes, Outfielder

- Ben Revere, Outfielder

- Rene Tosoni, Outfielder

Remember Me – Maroth certainly has the most experience of the players on this list, with a veteran career including stops at Detroit and St. Louis. However, he hasn’t pitched at the major league level since 2007 and there are serious questions as to whether he can still compete in the big leagues. Maroth will try to make the Twins’ squad as a long reliever and potential spot starter but is definitely a long shot.

Prospect Watch – Revere is Minnesota’s most prized prospect but will need to dominate spring training in order to have a chance of sniffing the opening day roster. His invite was more symbolic than anything, giving him a taste of the big league experience so he is ready when his time comes.

Biggest 2010 Impact – Slama performed very well in 2009, acting as the closer for New Britain and Rochester on his way to 29 saves and a 2.67 ERA. Slama is already 26 years old and has proven everything he can at the minor league level. The Twins bullpen situation is still very much up in the air and Slama will get his chance to lock down a spot, if not on opening day, then at somepoint during the season.

Ranking the Twins Top 30 Prospects: #16-#15

Malcolm — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:15:49 +0000

16. Rene Tosoni, Outfield – Tosoni is a very well-rounded player, who lacks any distinct weaknesses in his game. However, he also lacks a truly dynamic strength and is stuck behind four other outfield prospects in the Twins system. He has no distinguishing tool like Ben Revere’s hitting, Aaron Hicks’ athleticism, Angel Morales’ raw power and Joe Benson’s defensive ability. Tosoni is also at least two years older than all four of the players I just mentioned, and is at least three years older than quickly rising prospects, Max Kepler-Rozycki and Michael Tonkin. He was selected in the 35th round of the 2005 draft and has been a favorite of Twins’ management, relying on excellent fundamentals and grit rather true ability. 2007 and 2008 were typical years for Tosoni as he posted a strong batting average but little power. However, 2009 brought about a change in his hitting approach. Despite never having hit more than three home runs in a year before, Tosoni ended 2009 with 15 at double A. But, usually a high batting average hitter, he struggled to a final number of .271. Tosoni is a good enough prospect that he definitely has value, but is overshadowed by a very talented group of outfield prospects. If he stays in Minnesota, don’t expect him to get much of a chance, but if he is used as a trade chip, Tosoni could be productive for another ballclub.

#15 – David Bromberg, Pitcher – The later rounds of the 2005 draft proved fruitful as Bromberg was selected in the 32nd round. The Twins utilized the now defunct draft and follow system, giving Bromberg a 40,000 dollar signing bonus. Drafted out of Malibu as a high schooler, he has quickly made an impression with his dynamic power pitching potential. 2008 saw Bromberg lead the entire minor leagues in strikeouts, whiffing 177 at low class A ball. He was even more dominant at high A ball in 2009, lowering his ERA to 2.70, while maintaining impressive strikeout numbers with 148. He also held opposing hitters to a mere .224 batting average against him. Bromberg, 22, has demonstrated that he can be a truly overpowering pitcher, but has struggled with his command at times, highlighted by his inordinate amount of hit batsmen and wild pitches over the years. He is also what scouts would refer to as a “bad body” pitcher. He lacks athleticism and will have to work hard to maintain his condintioning as he progresses through the system. Bromberg still ranks as one of the Twins’ most developed pitching prospects and is certainly in the Minnesota’s future plans. Look for him to start 2010 in double A, with shot at the majors coming in 2011.

Ranking the Twins Top 30 Prospects: #18-#17

Malcolm — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:57:49 +0000

18. Josmil Pinto, C-DH – Pinto entered the Twins organization as a undrafted free agent out of Venezuela in 2006. After two less than spectacular seasons, Pinto was no more than an afterthought in a shallow Twins talent pool. However, superb offensive performances in 2008 and 2009 have seen him burst onto everyone’s radar now. Pinto has demonstrated that he is a very gifted hitter, posting batting averages of .329 and .332 in the last two years respectively. Never considered much of a power or speed threat, Pinto surprised some in 2009, swatting 13 home runs in a mere 205 at bats. One of the biggest concerns with Pinto is his lack of a true position. He started out as an outfielder and was eventually converted to a catcher, but it is widely believed that he profiles best as a designated hitter. While Pinto has proven that he can dominate rookie level ball, he still needs to prove that he can produce in the upper reaches of the minors. Still just 20, Pinto should continue to improve, although the Twins will have to make a decision on whether to add him to the 40-man roster relatively soon. Look for him to begin 2010 in class A, with a possible promotion to class A advanced at midseason.

17. Matthew Bashore, Pitcher – Bashore is the second of the four pitchers taken in the first three rounds of the 2009 draft to appear on this list. Bashore is an absolute physical specimen, measuring at 6′3″ and 200 pounds, with some serious power. The Twins have a dearth of left handed pitching talent, so Bashore is a great asset, a fire-balling submariner. He throws a hard fastball, reaching up to 95 mph, as well as two complementary breaking pitches, a devastating splitter and a serviceable changup. His ranking this eye is completely owed to his massive projectability. The raw potential that Bashore and the rest of the 2009 pitching haul represent has Twins management salivating in anticipation and excitement. Of course, it is almost impossible to project how Bashore will adapt to professional baseball, as he was only able to net two innings of work before the end of the minor league season. One thing is for sure, Bashore has undeniable and dynamic ability and the Twins will keep a close eye on his development. Look for him to start 2010 in a loaded rookie league rotation including Ben Tootle and Billy Bullock.

Ranking the Twins Top 30 Prospects: #20-#19

Malcolm — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:19:20 +0000

#20. Ben Tootle, Pitcher – Tootle is the first on this list of the four highly regarded pitching prospects that the Twins selected in the first three rounds of the 2009 draft. The 2009 draft represented a return to fostering high upside pitching talent for Twins management, and Tootle is a perfect example of this new philosophy. Tootle doesn’t have imposing size, but has a live arm with two already plus pitches. His curveball is probably the best in his repertoire, but also has a good fastball that sits at 94-95 mph and can reach 99 mph. Tootle is relatively small in stature, but has a crazy leg kick, from which he is able to generate much of his power. He went to Jacksonville State, and while his numbers weren’t dominant, he went in the third round due to his potential and projectability. Tootle’s biggest issue throughout his college career has been with his command, and the Twins hope that they can cure his wildness and harness his talent. While Tootle has dynamic stuff, it is difficult to rank him because he has only pitched 6 innings at the professional level. Albeit, those six innings were quite impressive, netting zero earned runs in six relief appearances. Tootle is also an enigma because it is unclear how the Twins plan to use him. A closer in college, there have been rumblings that the Twins might try to turn him into a starter in the minors. Whatever the case, Tootle is a very intriguing arm in the lower levels of the Twins’ organization to keep an eye on.

#19. B.J. Hermsen, Pitcher – While not all that touted coming in to 2009, Hermsen exploded onto everybody’s radar with a truly dominant season. A sixth round pick in the 2008 draft, Hermsen was mostly an afterthought as it was widely believed that he would go to Oregon State. However, the Twins offered him a 650,000 dollar signing bonus just before the deadline and he signed, much to everyone’s surprise. Hermsen was considered one of the top high school arms in the draft but slipped all the way to the sixth round because teams believed that he would be almost impossible to sign. As a result, the Twins were able to grab a steal for a relatively cheap price. Hermsen signed late in 2008 and therefore 2009 was his professional debut, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. He had one of the best seasons for a Twins prospect last year, posting a 1.35 ERA in 10 starts at Rookie ball. He has caught the eye of Twins’ management due to his superb command of his fastball and curveball. While never destined to have overpowering stuff, Hermsen is an excellent mix of pitchability and life. Hermsen only just turned 20, but is very advanced for a pitching prospect his age, so he is expected to move quickly through the Twins system. While he demonstrated his ability with his great performance at Rookie ball, he is still inexperienced and the Twins will look for him to continue similar levels of success as he rises through the organization. Look for Hermsen to start 2010 in low class A ball, with potential promotions to high A and double A to follow.