In what was almost a foregone conclusion as of this morning, the Twins have agreed to terms with the Oakland Athletics regarding shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

Cabrera, 34, has been one of the league’s hottest hitters this past month and should fit in to the two-hole nicely. He’ll be a decent upgrade offensively over both Nick Punto and Alexi Casilla.

Defensively, though, Cabrera hasn’t performed as well as he has in recent years. The Twins’ current defense is rock-solid and this could help Cabrera progress to his defensive mean.

One option Ron Gardenhire also has, though, is to put Cabrera in the bottom of the order and leave either Punto or Casilla in the two-hole. I don’t think very many want that to happen.

If Gardenhire replaces Brendan Harris with Cabrera and slides Punto to second base, there has been no upgrade. If Punto doesn’t have at-bats taken away from him as a result of this trade there would be virtually no visible change.

The Twins gave up Tyler Ladendorf to the A’s. Ladendorf had the 14th highest ceiling in my Top 15 Prospects list last year, but is more than three years away from the major-leagues.

The bottom line on this trade is that the Twins aren’t significantly better with Cabrera on the lineup, but wonders have most likely been done to Mauer’s desire to stay in Minnesota.

Posted in Uncategorized No Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Brendan Harris, Nick Punto, Orlando Cabrera, Tyler Ladendorf

Marco Scutaro

The Twins have never been considered an active team at the trade deadline, and this year could be no different.

Although the chances of Minnesota actually trading for a player with the ability to transform the team into a serious title-contender is rare, that doesn’t mean they aren’t dipping their toes in the water.

With names and potential trade partners being flung about it can be easy for fans to get confused. Because of the low chances of the Twins actually making any moves I won’t detail every potential acquisition, but knowing who the Twins have the most interest in can provide deep insights into the organization and its philosophy.

First off, it appears that the Twins have contacted Toronto regarding their ace, Roy Halladay.

If the rumors that indicate the Blue Jays had turned down a hefty offer from the Phillies is true, there is no chance that the Twins would have enough to even be considered by Toronto. Besides, it doesn’t appear that Halladay even wants to pitch in Minnesota.

The biggest-name player the Twins actually have a shot at is Freddy Sanchez of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As a veteran second baseman with a consistent bat, Sanchez would do wonders both offensively and defensively for the Twins. Sanchez could step right in to the second-slot in the batting order and allow Gardenhire to put Casilla or Punto where they belong: on the bench.

San Francisco seems to have the advantage in the Sanchez-sweepstakes, though, and the Twins may have to settle for someone like Orlando Cabrera.

Cabrera, a shortstop, wouldn’t be the best fit in Minnesota. He is relatively old and the only reason his stock is so high is because of a recent hot month at the plate. He probably wouldn’t be much of an upgrade overBrendan Harris, either offensively or defensively.

I wouldn’t be at all opposed to trading for Cabrera, providing one of two things takes place: 1) Cabrera takes at-bats away from Punto rather than Harris, or 2) reliever Michael Wuertz is included in the package.

Wuertz is a 30-year old, right-handed reliever who has been pitching great this year. He would come with a high pricetag, though, and the Twins may not be willing to mortgage so much of their future.

There was a rumor this weekend that the Athletics had offered to trade Cabrera to the Twins straight-up forDanny Valencia, the third-baseman of the future for Minnesota and by all accounts a future All-Star. As President Obama would say, “I don’t know all the facts, but [Oakland] acted stupidly.”

Yesterday, it was reported that the Twins had showed interest in Mariner’s reliever Sean White. A young right-handed hurler from the Seattle bullpen, White boasts an impressive ERA so far this year, and has only given up two home runs, but walks nearly as many batters as he strikes out.

Besides Halladay, the Blue Jays could offer quite a few veteran relievers for trade. While the future of Halladay could dictate whether Toronto wants to rebuild or not, a reliever like Scott Downs or Jason Frasor could help solidify a shaky Minnesota bullpen.

Veteran infielder Marco Scutaro could also help tremendously. Basically an older version of Nick Punto in terms of defensive ability and versatility, Scutaro blows Punto out of the water when comparing offensive prowess.

Although it isn’t fun to talk about, the Twins could also consider unloading some of their veteran/valuable players and rebuilding for 2011 or 2012. Michael Cuddyer, Joe Crede, Nick Punto, Delmon Young, Francisco Liriano, and even Joe Nathan could bring in a lot of young talent.

Worse than selling and starting a long rebuilding process, in my opinion, would be for the Twins to do absolutely nothing before the July 31 trade deadline. They have sat on their hands for many years and have done their very best to convince fans that they either don’t have the money, willpower, or dedication to compete in their division.

It’s time for them to change that perception.

While a timely trade or acquisition may only be enough to push them over the hump in their division, a few key moves strung together could prove to be the difference between a World Series run and another October home on the couch.

Posted in rumors No Comments Tags: Brendan Harris, Danny Valencia, Freddy Sanchez, Jason Frasor, Marco Scutaro, Michael Wuertz, Nick Punto, Oakland Athletics, Orlando Cabrera, Pittsburgh Pirates, Roy Halladay, Scott Downs, Sean White, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays

Danny Valencia

Danny Valencia has long been hailed as the third baseman of the future for the Minnesota Twins. Not since Corey Koskie have fans been able to watch a consistent jersey take grounders from the hot corner.

After the 2004 season, the Twins were forced to plug the hole at third base. In 2005, it was Michael Cuddyer. In 2006 and 2007, it was Nick Punto. Last year, Brian Buscher and Mike Lamb shared the duties.

During most of that time, though, the Twins were patiently waiting for their future to develop.

Valencia was drafted in the 19th round of the 2006 MLB Draft, and has been regarded as the future ever since. After starting his minor-league career with the Elizabethton Twins, Valencia has moved up at least one level each season.

This speedy movement between minor league levels is certainly rare within the Twins’ organization, but if anyone deserved to be rushed, it was Valencia.

The sluggish pace at which some top prospects move through the minors is infuriating to fans, as they want to see the player in the big-leagues as soon as possible. Who can blame them? In reality, though, the lethargic approach the Twins have toward their highly-prized prospects is a blessing in disguise.

Valencia’s case is different; every league and team he has been placed with hasn’t brought a noticeable dip in his offensive or defensive output. Though the challenges get tougher, Valencia has remained on an even keel throughout his career.

In his four seasons of professional baseball, Valencia has posted an average less than .300 exactly once: when he hit .297 at Beloit and Fort Myers, hardly an unforgivable offense.

Valencia somehow manages to blast around a dozen home runs a year while getting on base at an impressive clip, proving that he’s ready for major-league opponents.

Promoted to Triple-A for the first time just one short month ago, some argue that he simply hasn’t had enough at-bats to warrant a promotion to the Bigs. With Joe Crede potentially heading to the disabled list, though, Valencia could be thrust into a mid-summer pennant race, ready or not.

Through 26 games, Valencia is hitting .370/.379/.620 with the Rochester Red Wings, while also tallying five home runs and 22 RBI. The slash line reeks of small sample size, but his success is not something that can be easily ignored.

I’m not going to tell you that Valencia would hit with the same effectiveness in the Majors that he is in Rochester. I can’t even tell you that he’d get on base more than Crede, the king of wasted at-bats.

One thing that is known is that Valencia would almost certainly be better both offensively and defensively than a platoon of Buscher and Punto at the hot corner.

Knowing the Twins, though, they’d prefer the latter over Valencia any day of the week.

Originally featured on B/R.

Posted in Opinionated Musings 1 Comment Tags: Danny Valencia, Joe Crede, Michael Cuddyer, Nick Punto

After successfully managing to tap the phones of both Bill Smith and JP Ricciardo, I hit the gold mine. Read what I overheard the two discussing…

Bill Smith, general manager of the Minnesota Twins: Hello, JP, it’s Bill Smith of the Twins.

J.P. Ricciardi, general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays: Hey, Bill! Long time no talk! Where have you been hiding? I haven’t seen you since Winter Meetings.

Smith: Oh, here and there. This is only my second full year on the job and I’m really learning how hectic things can get.

Ricciardi: You’re telling me. This is my eighth trade deadline. What can I do for you?

Smith: Well, I want to ask about two players. And don’t worry, I’m not very interested in Doc.

Ricciardo: Thank goodness for that. Having another team in the mix would just make it harder for me to get home every night. My wife already hates me… Who would you be interested in?

Smith: Marco Scutaro and Jason Frasor.

Ricciardo: Oh. Well, let me tell ‘ya, Bill, I really think highly of those two guys and it would take a lot to pry them away. They’ve got very manageable contracts. Plus, I’d miss out on a couple compensatory draft picks if I let them go.

Smith: (Laughing) I’m not that new, JP. I know Scutaro will be a Type-A free agent, but you’ll only receive those picks if he doesn’t acceptarbitration, which he probably will.

Ricciardo: You got me there, Bill. Well, you want to start with an offer?

Smith: Sure. How does Kevin Slowey for the both of them sound?

Ricciardo: (Clicking/typing on computer overheard in background, probably looking up Slowey on Baseball-Reference) He’s hurt, isn’t he?

Smith: Ah, just a little sore. He threw a bullpen today and will make a rehab start on Saturday. Don’t tell me a pitcher with his impeccible control doesn’t pique your interest. Slowey’s also just 25 years old.

Ricciardo: I have pitching coach Brad Arnsberg listening in on this call, and I think he’s drooling. You have no doubt heard about how he worked wonders with the mechanics of Ricky Romero.

Smith: Yeah, a very good job, indeed. I’d hate to give Slowey up, but I’d also love to get Scutaro in this lineup. Maybe then Gardenhire would ease off his Nick Punto-craze.

Ricciardo: Yeah, I’ve heard about that. What’s the deal? All my scouts tell me Punto has no bat and is losing his glove. Why on earth did you give him an extension?

Smith: Don’t tell anyone I told you this, but Gardenhire came to me and said that as soon as Punto was off this team he would leave as well. An ultimatum from the manager. Can you believe it? Judging from how he’s managed the bullpen these past few days that might not be the worst idea…

Ricciardo: That’s too bad. How would you plan on using Scutaro, then, if Punto is forced to stay on the team?

Smith: Punto is a solid late-inning replacement, and even Gardenhire can’t play Punto over Scutaro every day.

Ricciardo: How about Frasor, if you don’t mind my asking?

Smith: Did you watch that game on Sunday night? Need I say more?

Ricciardo: Oh, yeah. Well, I’d sure love to help you out, but I think we’ll need a little more than just Slowey.

Smith: How would it be if I threw in Alex Burnett? He was recently promoted to New Britain and will turn 22 in about a month. He’s currently boasting an ERA of 1.93 through 23 games in Double-A and hasn’t given up a home run yet this year.

Ricciardo: Well, I’m interested, to say the least. Let me do a quick review to make sure I’ve got everything straight.

Marco Scutaro, 33, UTIL, $1.1 million
Jason Frasor, 31, RHP, $1.45 million

FOR

Kevin Slowey, 25, RHSP, $.44 million
Alex Burnett, 21, RHP

I like the way that sounds, Bill. I’ll obviously have to spend a day or so checking scouting reports and the like, but I think we’re very close to a deal. By the way, these guys have picked up a little French, living so close to Quebec. Got any French-speaking Canadians on your roster?

Smith: (Laughing) Well, I’m not sure about that, but Morneau is Canadian and I’m sure he’ll take an instant liking to Scutaro. I also majored in French in college, so I’ll keep ‘em from getting rusty.

Ricciardo: I’ll call you back sometime before Friday, Bill. A pleasure doing business.

Smith: Likewise, JP. Good luck getting that Holladay situation sorted out!

Ricciardo: (Laughing) Actually, I think the Phillies are calling again. I’ve been taking calls from them and the Mets for almost twenty-four hours now! Talk to you later, Bill!

Smith: See ya, JP.

And with that, a trade rumor was born.

Posted in Opinion, Trades, rumors 3 Comments Tags: Alex Burnett, Bill Smith, Jason Frasor, Kevin Slowey, Marco Scutaro, Nick Punto

Freddy Sanchez

First published by me at Bleacher Report.

Like federal agents in a shoot-em-up thriller, the “likeability” of general managers typically doesn’t last long in the baseball universe.

Fans want things their way, and the front office of their favorite team never seems to get it right. It’s funny, considering how both parties are aiming for the same goal: a World Series title.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Opinion 2 Comments Tags: Brian Duensing, Danny Valencia, Freddy Sanchez, Jesse Crain, Joe Crede, Kevin Mulvey, Matt Capps, Nick Punto, RA Dickey

1) Cuddyer was safe.

2) Ump should be ashamed and probably cried himself to sleep last night.

3) Blackburn and the bullpen didn’t deserve to win that game.

4) Morneau/Kubel/Cuddyer did.

I fully expect a personal letter from Selig in the mail tomorrow with approximately twelve free Twins tickets, fifteen Dome Dogs, and four Morneau t-shirts.

Posted in Game Thoughts 1 Comment Tags: Ineptitude

As usual, I’ll be hosting a live blog here at TwinsFix on Friday. Join in the fun just before the first pitch!

Posted in Uncategorized No Comments Tags: Live Blog

Mark Grudzielanek

When the announcement that Minnesota had acquired the contract of free agent Mark Grudzeilanek rolled across the ticker, the majority of Twins Territory groaned. Were they doomed to endure another Brett Boone/Phil Nevin/Tony Batista/Mike Lamb/Craig Monroe scenario?

While I certainly hope Grudzielanek ends up performing better than the five above veteran signees, there is much more hope for this most recent addition to the Twins family.

Why, you ask? Grudzielanek is 39 years old, much older than any of the aforementioned veterans at the time the Twins picked them up. He has spent the entire 2009 season to date watching from the proverbial sidelines, unable to convince any of the thirty teams to give him a chance.

Until now.

For all we know, Grudzielanek could be fighting a typical 39-year old’s battle with simple stiffness and has trouble getting out of bed every morning. A week or two of hard workouts could cure him of that, but it might not.

Grudzielanek could turn out to be exactly like Boone was and the Twins may cut him before the month of August is out.

Should that happen, the Twins will have lost practically nothing in terms of monetary value. They will be able to move on and continue their pursuit of the playoffs. More importantly, however, is the fact that the Trade Deadline will have come and gone.

If July 31 passes without the Twins making a significant move they will be stuck with Alexi Casilla and Grudzielanek at second base, for better or worse.

Then again, though, this acquisition could be a precursor for Twins’ general manager Bill Smith. Minnesota may very well be close to landing Freddie Sanchez.

If that were the case the Twins would be in an extremely favorable situation: an All-Star starting at second base and a veteran with the ability to hit .300/.350/.400 waiting in the wings.

Sure, Grudzielanek isn’t going to be the best offensive player this side of Derek Jeter. No, he won’t have the defensive prowess of Aaron Hill. But he can come awfully close, can’t he?

The acquisition of Grudzielanek was a wise one on the Twins’ part, provided they aren’t finished making moves yet.

Posted in Opinion 3 Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Brett Boone, Craig Monroe, Freddie Sanchez, Mark Grudzielanek, Mike Lamb, Tony Batista

Joe Crede

Glen Perkins is historically at his worst in the first inning, the same as many other pitchers. After he surrendered that two-run blast to Josh Hamilton, though, there is no doubt his confidence fell a few notches. Then just when he needed it most, Joe Crede saved a potential triple with an amazing defensive stop.

That seems to be the norm for Crede. If Buscher were starting at the hot corner every night our young pitchers would be giving up quite a few additional extra-base hits up the left-field line.

Crede’s defense is definitely very solid, but how does it compare to the rest of the league?

He boasts the highest fielding percentage of all other third baseman (who qualify), with .989. His OOZ (outs made out of zone) is just 30, while the leader in the league is the speedy Chone Figgins with 50. Crede ranks eighth in that department, which can be attributed to the fact that he is 31 years old and isn’t as fleet of foot as other younger defenders (although Figgins is also 31, ironically).

Crede’s Revised Zone Rating is .797, the best of any third baseman in baseball. It’s safe to say that Crede is one of the top five defensive third baseman in either league. How about offense?

The first thing I looked at was his OPS+, which was exactly 100 before yesterday’s game against the Rangers. A perfectly average hitter?

Crede is an extreme fly ball hitter, with a high 55 percent of hits ending either short of or over the outfield fence. He rarely hits groundballs, which can be both a blessing and a curse.

As you know, Crede signed a one year deal this past offseason that was laden with incentives. He has reached most of them, which Twins fans should be very excited about. Rare is the offseason signing that actually works out! I’m sure most fans would agree that Crede has been worth every penny. Sure, the offense isn’t there, but Crede has never hit for a super average. We were hoping/expecting some pop in the lineup to go along with a great glove and we have received exactly that.

Whether or not the Twins should try and re-sign Crede, though, is a different story entirely. Crede hoped this one-year stint in Minnesota would prove to other teams that his back is no longer a problem and he is worth a semi-long deal worth lots of money. He has certainly showed us that, and who could blame him if he left for a team willing to pay a pretty price for his flashing glove?

Danny Valencia should be in a Twins uniform sometime next year, and hopefully he can be the full-time third baseman starting in 2011. That transition year of 2010 has the potential to be rough as both Buscher and Valencia will probably split time, but I wouldn’t be opposed to signing Crede to another one-year deal if he can’t find work anywhere else.

Judging from how he’s played so far this year, though, I’d say that would be a long shot.

Posted in Game Thoughts 2 Comments Tags: Brian Buscher, Danny Valencia, Glen Perkins, Joe Crede

Posted in Live Blog 2 Comments Tags: Texas Rangers