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

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

Freddy Sanchez

As the Twins’ roster currently stands, there aren’t many fans who think that the Twins have a serious shot at the World Series. Because of the mediocrity of the AL Central the Twins may be able to reach postseason play, but anything beyond that is probably wishful thinking.

Unless, of course, the Twins sign a game-changer. Freddy Sanchez could be that game-changer.

At 31 years of age there are certainly younger options on the market (Ian Kinsler, for example. But that’s for another day.) Sanchez, despite his age, remains one of the best defensive second baseman in the league. In Ultimate Zone Rating he ranks seventh in the league at his position. His Range Factor/Game is good enough for fourth in the league.

There is no doubt that this is an upgrade over who the Twins currently have occupying second base. Whether it’s Alexi Casilla, Matt Tolbert, or Nick Punto, it seems second base is where offense goes to die. None of those players have batting averages anywhere near .300 (two are under .200) and their on-base-averages aren’t much better. Sanchez’s .316/.355/.477/.832 would be considered other-worldly by fans who are starved for offensive production from that position.

Most Twins’ fans would love to see Sanchez in the infield every day, but are skeptical about the asking price. They’re not alone; the Twins are renowned for over-valuing their prospects and it would take a lot to convince them to move players like Kevin Mulvey or Anthony Swarzak.

It’s safe to say that Alexi Casilla will probably be the centerpiece of any trade the Twins work out, if any. He currently resides in Gardy’s doghouse and most likely won’t be with the Twins again as long as Gardy is manager; which could be forever. Casilla is loaded with talent and could be an All-Star threat were he provided with a change of scenery.

As they stand now, the Twins could manage to squeak by both the Tigers and White Sox for the division title. They may even manage to win a few games in the postseason. But a deep playoff run cannot be enjoyed without a game-changer like Freddy Sanchez. And wouldn’t you know – the Twins seem to be in talks with the Pirates right now, inquiring about Sanchez and releviers Matt Capps and John Grabow.

Just as a reminder, there will be a live blog tonight during the Twins/Tigers game here at TwinsFix.com. Please join us as we talk about the game, the division race, potential trades, and everything Twins-related! 7:00 central time is when I’ll open it up.

Posted in rumors No Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Anthony Swarzak, Freddy Sanchez, Kevin Mulvey, Matt Tolbert, Nick Punto

Originally posted at BleacherReport.com

Matt Tolbert, Getty Images

Everybody loves a hard worker. Just ask Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire. He is known around Twins’ Territory as one who adores players who bust their tails, even though the results may not be there.

Perhaps this is the reason Matt Tolbert still finds himself in the batting lineup every day?

Being brutally honest, Tolbert is not a good baseball player. His defense is above-average at second base, but most of that is thanks to his incredible speed. Tolbert’s defensive range is one of the best on the team, but his less-than-desirable offensive numbers have many calling for his head.

Tolbert made the team out of Spring Training last year as a utility infielder. He was the minor-league version ofMark DeRosa, playing nearly everywhere in the infield as well as both corner outfield positions.

Sir Tolbert, versatility is thy middle name.

His defensive prowess aside, Tolbert’s offensive struggles could be the only obstacle keeping him from the national spotlight.

And what an obstacle that is.

Just one game short of his 2008 total, Tolbert already has 18 more plate appearances. This is a result of his sliding—no pun intended—into the second base role on a daily basis. Alexi Casilla was just as good defensively, if not more so, than Tolbert.

However, when Casilla’s triple-slash line fell to .167/.231/.202 in May the Twins felt the need to change things up.

I’m not saying that Casilla didn’t have a demotion coming to him: he obviously did. Casilla didn’t hustle on pop outs and fans were forced to watch him trot leisurely up the first-base line on bunt attempts. The hustle that Gardenhire loves wasn’t evident in Casilla, and the result was a demotion.

The swapping of Tolbert and Casilla was welcomed with a sigh of relief among Twins fans. No longer would a bat worse than most National League pitchers’ be forced into the lineup day-in and day-out. The fact that Casilla’s defense was top-notch didn’t make up for his offensive ineptitude in the eyes of fans.

In fact, offensive ineptitude is not foreign to Twins fans.

Most Twins fans claim that Nick Punto is only kept on the team because of his defensive versatility. To manager Ron Gardenhire, the fact that Punto is consistently battling with the Mendoza line is beside the point.

Now it seems the only thing keeping Tolbert in the big-leagues is the current injury to Punto. There is no room on the roster for two utility infielders. Just as Casilla was demoted, so shall Tolbert.

Gardenhire’s supposed love affair with utility infielders who are horrendous at the plate is both well-known and well-documented in Minnesota. It seems everyone knows of this “weakness” and are quick to join in the criticizing.

Steve Tolleson

This criticism has now been directed at Tolbert. He is going down the same dark road as Casilla and Punto did before him.

This time, though, Tolbert’s days are numbered.

It seems shocking that Gardenhire continues to play these players who lack in the offensive department every day. Sure, most of the time they’re excellent defenders. But when that is balanced against the fact that they only get a hit two times out of ten makes them bad baseball players.

There are guys like 25-year-old Steve Tolleson waiting in Triple-A for their chance at the Minnesota infield. Tolleson has a triple-slash line of .330/.398/.461 in his games at Rochester this year; extremely better than the 27-year-old Tolbert at that level.

Just two years of age separate Tolleson and Tolbert, yet Gardenhire preferred the elder. This is hard to criticise, but the fact that Tolleson is nearly as versatile as Tolbert raises the question, “Where’s the love for offense?”

There is little doubt that Tolleson will play in Minnesota this year. How long that stint will be, no one knows. Whether in September when the rosters are expanded or not, the time is not yet known.

When Tolleson’s name is called, though, let’s hope he impresses Gardenhrie enough to break him of his love for offensively inept utility infielders.

Posted in Opinion No Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Matt Tolbert, Nick Punto, Steve Tolleson

Freddy Sanchez

Most fans prefer to lose via the blowout. They argue, and I agree, that it is less painful to lose when you know the outcome of the game in the fourth inning. In the past twenty-five Twins’ losses only three have been by more than five runs. At least lately, when the Twins lose they lose because of one or two malfunctioning pieces.

If one of these issues were addressed, could the Twins find themselves with a playoff-caliber team? And if so, what one piece are they missing?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Twins are set in the outfield. With Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, and Jason Kubel, our three “starters” are pretty darn solid. All three have on-base-percentages higher than .360 and both Cuddyer and Kubela have double-digit home run totals. These players are good, but I’m not going to pretend that there aren’t problems. (Delmon Young being given regular starts as one example, and Carlos Gomez continually riding the pine as another.)

There is an abundance of outfielders in Minnesota, so adding another either via free agency or trade would be pointless.

Our starting pitchers have also smoothed out after a rough start. Scott Baker is looking like the ace he was supposed to be, while Nick Blackburn has done a fine job being an innings-eater. He has the most innings of anyone on the Twins’ staff and boasts two complete games (although one was less desirable than the other). Both Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey have also looked great this year, with Slowey near the top of the American League in wins.

Francisco Liriano is the problem. He has consistently had one problematic inning in his starts, and many (including me) have argued that a temporary move to the bullpen is in order.

All of these starting pitchers are under 27 years old. The Twins could make a move for a guy like 31-year old Brad Penny, which would allow for both a veteran presence on the team as well as make it possible for a smooth transition to the bullpen for Liriano. On the other hand, the asking price for Penny (who would only be a half-year rental) would probably be too steep.

Brad Penny

The corner infield is set for this year. Justin Morneau is continuing to do what he does best, being one of the top first basemen considered for the nearing All-Star game. Joe Crede has done a super job defensively while sporting a dismal on-base-percentage. His back has held out so far, though, and few Twins fan could ask for more than what he has done.

The middle infield could use an upgrade. Matt Tolbert has assumed the role at second base and has almost been worse offensively than Alexi Casilla. In his 31 games at second this year, though, Tolbert has committed just one error and has great speed, but watching him go hitless night-after-night is painful, to say the least.

Brendan Harris has been a surprise this year for the Twins, as he is hitting a decent .290/.336/.394. He has almost zero power, but is getting the job done both offensively and defensively. If the Twins were to make a move it would be for a second baseman. Freddy Sanchez’s name has been connected to Minnesota, and with due reason. Sanchez is 31 years old and has a contract that expires after this year, but he would bring at least one compensatory draft pick to the Twins in 2010 and would be one of the best at second base both offensively and defensively.

Although they started the season on a less-than-stellar note, the bullpen has seen three pitchers step up to pull themselves back to respectability: R.A. Dickey, Matt Guerrier, and Jose Mijares. The Twins will occasionally have to put other relievers on the mound, but Bobby Keppel has shown a flash of brilliance with his great debut (with the Twins, not his major-league debut) against the Cardinals yesterday. He mopped up Slowey’s sub-par start by providing four innings of two-hit ball. (Also: Joe Nathan.)

Trading for a bullpen arm isn’t a good idea, as Dan Wade and Josh Johnson said a few days ago via their respective Twitter accounts. From @JoshsThoughts: “Not to mention that bullpen arms are generally a high commodity meaning they will ultimately cost the most. No way, Jose!” From @Dwade: “Trading for bullpen help is a bad idea generally speaking; too much uncertainty. Just look at Aardsma in Seattle!”

The only other position that could be addressed is a utility infielder, but Nick Punto has that market cornered, whether we like it or not.

If I had my way, the Twins would either trade for a middle infielder (preferably Sanchez) or sit tight with what they have. Adding anything else in any other positions would either be too expensive or create more problems than they would solve.

What do you think? As the Hot Stove League nears it’s final month, what should the Twins do? How far away from a World Series run are the Twins, and what should they address?

Posted in rumors 3 Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Bobby Keppel, Brad Penny, Brendan Harris, Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Denard Span, Francisco Liriano, Freddy Sanchez, Glen Perkins, Jason Kubel, Joe Crede, Joe Nathan, Jose Mijares, Justin Morneau, Kevin Slowey, Matt Guerrier, Matt Tolbert, Michael Cuddyer, Nick Blackburn, RA Dickey, Scott Baker

Matt Tolbert - The Casilla Replacement

May 5. Bottom of the second. Runner on second, two outs. The Twins trail the Tigers 3-0 in the midst of a beautiful afternoon. Josh Anderson is on second and Placido Polanco is batting for Detroit. Twins’ pitcher Nick Blackburn is trying to escape this second inning with as little damage as possible before returning to the dugout to lick his wounds.

Polanco whacks a groundball to the left of the second baseman, which the infielder fails to convert into an out; the Tigers would leave that inning with a 6-0 lead.

May 6. Bottom of the first. Runner on second, two outs. The Twins trail the Orioles 3-0 in the midst of a veritable rain storm. Luke Scott is on second and Gregg Zaun is batting for Baltimore. Twins’ pitcher Kevin Slowey is trying to escape this first inning with as little damage as possible before he heads back into the rain-free dugout to lick his wounds.

Zaun whacks a groundball to the left of the  second baseman, which the infielder successfully converts into the final out of the inning.

We all know who these infielders are, right? The former is Alexi Casilla and the latter Matt Tolbert. A roster move was made earlier today that exchanged these two; Tolbert to Minnesota, Casilla to Rochester. While the reason for this move was not entirely based on that one Casilla error, it is ironic that Tolbert made an almost identical play the very next night, is it not?

Matt Tolbert. He had a 41 game stint with the Twins last season where he played almost every infield position while batting at a .283/.322/.389 clip. Hardly impressive, but when compared to Casilla’s .167/.231/.202 performance so far this year Tolbert’s bat seems other-worldly.

Tolbert has been on an offensive hot streak lately for the Rochester Red Wings, and the 27-year old utility infielder has always been a good defender. Is Tolbert the long-term answer at second base? Probably not, but he could fill the needed role of late-inning defensive substitution that has fallen primarily on Nick Punto’s plate.

Casilla is just 24 years old and has shown flashes of brilliance. So far this year, however, he has drawn more curses than awe. As Seth Stohs said, “I really don’t like when people question a person’s effort. I really don’t think that is fair. Can we question his baseball IQ at this point? That is fair. But let’s try not to mix the two.”

 For now, let’s just be satisfied that we no longer have to give up an out every time a certain second-baseman steps to the plate. Tolbert will make his presence known both offensively and defensively… let’s hope.

Posted in Game Thoughts 2 Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Matt Tolbert

Alexi Casilla

During these past few weeks those Twins’ fans who hibernate during the winter months have come alive. Discussions have ranged from the crowded outfield, to the starting five, to the Crede acquisition. One person that hasn’t received his fair share of praise (or criticism, for that matter) is Alexi Casilla.

Casilla posted a clip of .281/.333/.374 during his 98 games last year; a decent average, but not the on-base-percentage that was expected. He drew 31 walks, but struck out 45 times.

Twelve errors were committed by him, but he was hardly a weakspot offensively or defensively. Casilla is just 23 years old, and few people doubt his potential down the road.

A wrist injury during the season hampered any chance at stellar totals, but next year should have Casilla at 100 percent.

For now, though, Casilla is an average second baseman who hasn’t proven himself to be consistent. If a guy like Steve Tolleson continues his dominance during Spring Training, I’m sure a few people would like to see him swapped with Casilla.

Personally, Casilla deserves at least a few months in a Twins’ uniform before any switch takes place. Even if he is a total bust, his recovery from that injury last season deserves some credit. There can be no set number, but if Casilla is ineffective and Tolleson is ripping the cover off the ball… well…

What do you think of the second base situation? Has Casilla solidified his postion, or is it up for grabs?

Posted in Uncategorized 2 Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Steven Tolleson

This idea or rumor is not a product of my brainchild, but I think it’s perfect. Unfortunately, more perfect things in this world end up being too good to be true, so the Twins’ involvement in this deal has been shot down by many. Here is the basic run-down of what people are saying…

It all started when the Twins expressed interest in Mark DeRosa, a veteran infielder with some power. Gardy told everyone earlier that Casilla could potentially move to shortstop if a good trade came up involving a second baseman, and that is exactly what this is. I think that DeRosa, although he would only be here for one year, could be a perfect fit for the 2009 Twins.

There was talk of including third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff in this mega-deal as well. If a move like that went down, the Twins would be set for a very solid 2009 run, with an extremely good chance of making some noise in the playoffs.

When those rumors came out, I was on Cloud 9. Going into these Winter Meetings I had very low expectations of the Twins doing very much of anything but playing cards and maybe attending a magic show or two, but if this deal worked out…well, the state of Minnesota should be very happy.

Here is a potential deal that Jesse from Twinkie Town worked out. If given that opportunity I’d pounce on it. 

I mean, seriously: Hughes, Swazark, Humber, and Bonser for DeRosa and Kouzmanoff? With the surplus pitching that the Twins enjoy this deal is a no-brainer for me. If the Twins could get both of these very good players without having to give up Delmon Young I’d be very happy.

Then Carrie Muskcat came along and ruined everything. She claimed (amidst spelling errors) that there was no way the Cubs trade DeRosa, and my fantasy shattered into pieces.

Along came Corey Brock from MLB.com and crushed more remaining hopes of this deal. He doesn’t expect the Twins to be players in the Peavy Sweepstakes.

Although the future of this fantasy-trade doesn’t look good, I’m sticking to Buster Olney’s word saying that Peavy will most likely be dealt before the Winter Meetings end.

A man can hope, can’t he?

What do you think of the above-mentioned trade? Too good to be true? And hidden pitfalls? Let us know!

Posted in Speculation 2 Comments Tags: Alexi Casilla, Delmon Young, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Mark DeRosa