Game 163 selected as Game of the Year
December 25, 2009
On Christmas Eve, MLB Network aired a special called the 2009 Games of the Year. It was stated that a total of 2430 regular season games were played, along with 30 postseason games, which were all included to form the Top 9 of 2009 list.
The AL Central tiebreaker between the Twins and the Tigers ranked high in the minds of many people, but how did it stack up against the World Series, the postseason and Mark Buehrle’s perfect game?
The postseason took a majority of the games with five of the entries, while the tiebreaker and three other regular season games made the list.
Here is the complete list of the 2009 Games of the Year.
9 – Dodgers vs. Giants (MLB Recap)
8 – Twins vs. Athletics (MLB Recap | Twins Digest Recap)
7 – Phillies vs. Rockies, NLDS Game 4 (MLB Recap)
6 – Cardinals vs. Dodgers, NLDS Game 2 (MLB Recap)
5 – Yankees vs. Angels, ALDS Game 3 (MLB Recap)
4 – Yankees vs. Phillies, World Series Game 4 (MLB Recap)
3 – Rays vs. White Sox (MLB Recap)
2 – Twins vs. Yankees, ALDS Game 2 (MLB Recap | Twins Digest Recap)
1 – Tigers vs. Twins, AL Central Tiebreaker (MLB Recap | Twins Digest Recap)
The Twins were represented in three of the games, or one-third of the list. Unfortunately for them, they blew the lead in two of those games and came up on the losing end. It was all made up for, however, as those two losses contributed to the final game of the regular season.
It was surprising to see the Twins/Athletics game among the best games of the year. You have to give Oakland credit for not giving up when the game appeared to be lost and for pulling out an improbable comeback to upset the Twins by a score of 14-13.
The 10-run comeback was the biggest comeback in Oakland A’s history and second only to a 12-run comeback in franchise history back in 1925 when they were still playing in Philadelphia. MLB Network continually referred to this game as a 27-run slugfest. I beg do differ, I only see a blown 10-run lead.
The other two games on the list are deserving in my mind. There was little doubt that the tiebreaker would come out on top as it is an instant classic and the only AL tiebreaker to go into extra innings, but I was a little surprised to see Game 2 of the ALDS ranked so high.
With that game, the Twins blew yet another lead, this time in the ninth inning, before going on to lose the game in extra innings by a walk-off homer from Mark Teixeira. One would have to think that Buehrle’s perfect game would rank higher than this as it was a perfect game, but it still earned a spot higher than any game of the World Series.
The one thing that can be said about this list is that even though the Twins were 3-and-out of the postseason, 2009 was a memorable year for the club.
Christmas update
December 25, 2009
Game 163
Merry Christmas Twins fans. Was really wishing the big news today would be the signing of Joe Mauer, but will have to wait a little longer for that. There is a lot of time to complete the deal, but it would have been nice to get that out of the way so we could move on to other important off season items.
After the winter meetings, it appears most talks have cooled in regard to the third base position. There appears to be a buyers market at this time with several good options still available, so it would appear that the Twins are willing to wait out the current market in hopes they can pick someone up at a better price after the new year.
Currently the market has several third basement rumored or close to signing deals. Troy Glaus looks to have agreed to a 1 year $2MM deal with the Atlanta Braves. The Twins were hinting that they were interested in Mark DeRosa, who it is being reported now, is close to a deal with the San Francisco Giants. If all reports are true, this would very frustrating as a fan, because it is reportedly a 2 year deal for $12MM which is a very fair price.
San Diego is reportedly is happy to go into 2010 with Kouzmanoff as a Padre. Not sure if this is just posturing so that clubs like the Twins start sweetening their deals. It looks at this time that the Twins would have to definitely give up more talent then Glen Perkins to get the young 3rd baseman.
It would appear that the Giants are looking past Kouzmanoff if DeRosa is close to singing a deal with the bay area club. With the Giants going after DeRosa, it would mean Juan Uribe will need a new team and with the market saturated at this point with quality 3rd basemen, his price tag might be going down.
Adrian Beltre is in talks with the Oakland Athletics which seems odd in some ways. The Athletics must not be intimidated by the large price tag and Betlre’s agent Scott Boras.
We are still hoping the Twins could work something out with the Padres and the young Kouzmanoff. Moving Glen Perkins and a reliever such as Francisco Liriano or Jesse Crain would fatten the deal and allow two good Twins players to get a fresh start on the west coast. Dealing Perkins and Liriano would be a tough trade for the Twins to make though, as they are both left handed pitchers and would leave the Twins short in the bull pen for lefty’s.
Don’t forget to catch the Twins and FSN encore of the AL Central tiebreaker between the Twins and Tigers that will air on tonight (Christmas) at 7:00 PM.
Seasons Greetings from the Twins
December 19, 2009
I, along with Twins fans everywhere, would all like one gift for Christmas, and that is the Twins signing Joe Mauer to a long-term contract. While that might not happen before Christmas Day, the Twins aren’t leaving their fans in the cold this year.
Call it a re-gifting of sorts, but the Twins and FSN are presenting an encore of the AL Central tiebreaker between the Twins and Tigers that will air on Christmas at 7:00 PM. It is a game that many fans and sports writers called one of the best games ever played. Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, said that he had never seen anything like it with neither team giving up.
The 12 inning game went back and forth in front of a packed house at the Metrodome to see the Twins win their fifth Central Division title in eight years. The win capped off an improbable run at the title in which the Twins found themselves seven games out of first place a month earlier.
If the Twins and FSN wanted to make this encore presentation even more special, they would sign off on getting Dick Bremer and Bert Blyleven to provide their usual commentary instead of having the regular TBS crew that features the recently fired Chip Carey and his obvious blunders and overuse of the verb ‘fisted.’
I’d even settle for the radio broadcast of John Gordon and Dan Gladden. That may be wishing for too much, though.
I know what I’ll be doing for Christmas – watching the 4 1/2 hour tiebreaker playoff game between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers once again. Plus, it allows me to see the unlikely heroes of Carlos Gomez and Orlando Cabrera in a Twins uniform one last time.
Thank you Twins and FSN.
Third base options
December 17, 2009
The Twins have made some exciting moves in the off season, but one glaring spot on the field has yet to be addressed in the minds of Twins fans… third base.
The Twins have used 17 different players at the corner position since Corey Koskie left after the 2004 season.
The faithful who are happy to go into next season with Brendan Harris, Nick Punto or even Joe Crede will argue that the Twins have already made enough changes to get them to the next level of the playoffs. But have they really done enough so far to compete with teams like the Angels, the Red Sox and even the dreaded Yankees?
There have been many third basemen on our wish list of players, but the list is starting to dwindle down to less then a handful of viable options. Players who we thought might be good fits in Minneapolis/St. Paul such as Pedro Feliz and Garrett Atkins moving on to other teams.
Who is likely out
Adrián Beltré is one player many would have liked to have seen in a Twins uniform last year. Now with Chone Figgins going to Seattle, the third baseman is sure to be moving to a new team, but his asking price is putting him out of the reaches of even teams like the Boston Red Sox. Although we would like to see the Twins pick up a quality third baseman, Beltré price tag is likely going to keep him from wearing a Twins uniform in 2010.
Mark DeRosa is another player the Twins are familiar with and has been mentioned. The Cardinal third baseman is reportedly asking for some serious compensation as well and if what we hear is true about his asking price ($24-27MM for 3 years), we can definitely agree with the Twins passing on him.
Who is left
Kevin Kouzmanoff is a player we definitely would like to see next year. The young Padre third baseman has a great glove and some power behind the plate. The Padres have been rumored to want to move him to a few teams with the Twins being one of them. The Twins have offered pitcher Glen Perkins who the Padres believe could be in the middle of their rotation, but rumor is that the Padres want more. We have discussed this here and wouldn’t mind the Twins sending a package deal with Perkins. The Padres have some young outfielders, so we are not sure if they would be interested in someone like Ben Revere, but he would be someone we could dangle.
Juan Uribe is another corner man that the Twins have expressed interest in. The current Giant has a small price tag, but when we think of Juan Uribe, we think about the 8th inning error that broke up Jonathan Sánchez’s perfect game. That play shouldn’t define him, but that is the first thing we think of when you bring up his name.
Joe Crede is the last man on our list. The 3rd baseman is coming off yet another back surgery and says he is healthy. Chances are he would be willing to sign another incentive base contract, but it is obvious he is not the player he once was with the Whtie Sox. There is a good chance that getting out of the Metrodome will help ease any back problems, but we like to think of him as a worst case scenario option.
The fact is that the Twins have a possible all start third basement in Rochester, but it isn’t likely we will know what his true potential is until 2011. Danny Valencia has been touted as the biggest prospects for the Twins, but his development has been slow and there is no indication that the Twins want to bring him up any time soon.
Signing Kouzmanoff would be a treat for Twins fans as it would give them a young powerful third baseman with a glove.
Twins get a look at Ardolis Chapman
December 15, 2009
Cuban phenom Ardolis Chapman throws for scouts on Tuesday in Houston and the Twins will be among a handful of teams represented.
The Star Tribune is reporting that two Twins scouts will be on hand to watch the left handed pitcher who defected when the Cuban national team was visiting the Netherlands in July.
Ardolis Chapman
Chapman was center stage for the Cuban team during the World Baseball Classic last spring. The hard throwing pitcher has a fastball that was clocked at 102 mph during the tournament. His performance drew the interest of such teams as the Red Sox, Yankees and Angels. Those teams as well as reps from the Houston Astros have all confirmed that they will have representatives present to watch Chapman.
“This is one of any number of these workouts we attend each year,” Twins General Manager Bill Smith told the Star Tribune. “It’s as much information gathering as anything else. We’ve seen this guy a number of times. We’ve seen him in the WBC and in a number of tournaments.”
Even though it is not likely the Twins could financially complete with the likes of the Red Sox, Yankees or Angels, they have been aggressively pursing players on the international market recently. The Twins have signed Dominican shortstop Miguel Jean and German outfielder Max Kepler who were both premier prospects from their respective countries.
Arbitration offered to seven eligible Twins
December 13, 2009
Kelly Thesier is reporting that the Twins have offered arbitration to seven eligible Twins. Teams had until late Saturday night to tender contracts to unsigned players in 2010.
Pitchers Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Francisco Liriano, and Pat Neshek, outfielder Delmon Young and infielders J.J. Hardy and Brendan Harris. The Twins will also go through arbitration with Carl Pavano since he also has accepted arbitration as well.
Jessee Crain at one time appeared to be a candidate for non-tender, but with Bonser being sent to the Boston Red Sox, he appears to have solidified a role in the bullpen.
Boof headed to Red Sox
December 10, 2009
MLBTradeRumors.com reported this morning that Boof Bonser has been traded to the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox will in return give the Twins an A/AA player or cash.
Boof Bonser
Options at the ‘Hot Corner’
December 9, 2009
With Carl Pavano agreeing to arbitration, the Twins should turn their attention to shoring up some holes in the infield, mainly either at third base or second base. It is safe to assume that Nick Punto will fill either role that is left unfilled. Also, for reasons probably due to service time, the Twins don’t want to push Danny Valencia, the heir-apparent third baseman of the future, up to the majors too early. Here are a few realistic options that have been tossed around this offseason.
Adrian Beltre
Beltre is one of the higher sought after third basemen on the free agent market this season. The Seattle Mariners offered arbitration, however, Beltre declined to test the free agent market. The amount of teams trying to acquire Beltre, though, will more than likely drive up his asking price. This, along with Valencia potentially waiting in the wings, could lead to the Twins to pass on pursuing Beltre for third, even though he probably is the best option out there.
Pedro Feliz
Feliz is an aging third basemen but still has a good glove and some power, which would fit nicely for what the Twins would need. Feliz spent most of his career with the San Francisco Giants before signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. The Phillies declined picking up his option for a third season and have already appeared to replace him with Placido Polanco. The Twins have been rumored to be interested in Feliz although reports state that they haven’t contacted his agent yet. A one-year deal for his services at third could be a decent, and inexpensive, option.
Kevin Kouzmanoff
The San Diego Padres have been rumored to have been shopping around their third baseman and reports say that the Twins offered Glen Perkins in exchange but the Padres declined the trade wanting a little more than that. Kouzmanoff would be a decent pickup for the club but would fit better in a long term role. Again, with Valencia close to being ready it wouldn’t make sense to trade for Kouzmanoff, unless it was to get rid of a few extra expendable players such as Perkins.
Mark DeRosa
It was reported today that the Twins had talks with DeRosa’s agent about coming to Minnesota. DeRosa is getting up there in age, which is perfect to take over the duties at third for a short time period. DeRosa is also versatile and could make a move to second base if Valencia is called up or can even fill in one of the outfield positions if needed. DeRosa doesn’t have the power that Beltre, Feliz or Kouzmanoff have, but he is a consistent hitter that could be an asset to the Twins. Although he will be 35 before the start of next season, DeRosa would fit probably better than the previous three third basemen on the list.
Joe Crede
If worse comes to worse, Joe Crede could be a viable option if he is still on the market. Crede fit in well with the team and seemed to be made of the same mold when he was healthy. His history of back problems, though, will make him a tough sell to any team unless he is given another incentive based contract. The Twins move outdoors next year and his back may hold up longer on a natural surface instead of the field turf, which could give the Twins enough time to finish developing Valencia in Triple-A. Crede doesn’t hit for average, but he can hit for power and would also give the Twins another pinch hit option off the bench.
Out of all of the aforementioned options, I would like to see DeRosa join the club the most with Feliz and Crede behind him. Kouzmanoff would be a good addition, but he would be more of a long-term option. As good of a player Beltre is, I doubt the Twins could afford to sign him to a contract.
Outside of that, another option could possibly be Garrett Atkins, who will more than likely not be non-tendered this weekend. Either that or the unsightly platoon of Nick Punto/Matt Tolbert/Brendan Harris at third until Valencia is brought up. Here’s to hoping the Twins make a move and spare us from that sight.
Red Sox and Phillies interested in Mahay?
December 9, 2009
Reporters in Boston and Philadelphia have sent out Tweets about their local teams being interested in free agent lefty, Ron Mahay. Andy Martino in Philadelphia wrote that there was mutual interest from both the Phillies and Mahay, while Michael Silverman in Boston wrote that they have called to express interest.
Mahay came over to the Twins in a late season move after being designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals. After being picked up, the left-handed pitcher made 16 appearances with the Twins and posted a 2.00 ERA in nine innings of work. His combined ERA for both clubs in 2009 was 4.29 with 42 strike outs and 22 walks in 50.1 innings.
Mahay is one of four free agents that the Twins did not offer arbitration. The others players are Orlando Cabrera, Mike Redmond and Joe Crede. Carl Pavano is the only free agent who was offered arbitration, who accepted the offer on Monday night.
Bonser designated for assignment
December 8, 2009
On Tuesday, the Twins designated Boof Bonser for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Carl Pavano, who accepted the Twins offer of arbitration on Monday night. The Star Tribune reported that if Bonser is not traded by Saturday, he will be outright released from the club as he is out of options.
Bonser appeared to have a starting role with the club but after a rocky start in 2008, he was demoted to the bullpen and regulated to long relief and mop-up duty. In his three years with the Twins, Bonser posted a 18-25 record with a 5.12 ERA in 96 appearances.
A partial tear in the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder injury cost Bonser the entire 2009 season. He came to the club in a 2003 trade with the San Francisco that sent the Giants catcher A.J. Pierzynski in exchange for Bonser, Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano.
