Joe Mauer featured on MLB “The Show”
February 8, 2010
It seems the Twins are garnering a lot of attention in the off season with their acquisition of players such as JJ Hardy, Carl Pavano, Jim Thome and Orlando Hudson.
With all of the news flying around off the hot stove until recently, you would think the Twins are going to be quiet for the next few weeks until spring ball starts, but wait.
Joe Mauer
It seems fans around the league are curious as to what becomes of Joe Mauer. If you really stop and think about it, why not. If you are a fan of any other team and you find out Joe Mauer doesn’t sign with the Twins this year, wouldn’t you be excited at the thought that maybe your team would go after the 26-year old AL MVP?
Tom Verducci of MLB network sat down with Joe Mauer and will reflect on Mauer’s past, his current status and may what the future may hold for the home town hero. Mauer will be the focus of the Verducci interview on MLB networks “2009 AL MVP presented by MLB 10: The Show” which airs Monday (which Monday we are not sure) at 7:00 pm CST.
OK, so Verducci won’t be asking him specifically about contract talks, but he is going to ask Joe about his feelings for playing for the hometown, as well as interview his parents and players and coaches from his Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul.
Twins Territory 2010 commercial
February 7, 2010
The Twins Territory Super Bowl “Minnie and Paul” commercial is up on the Twins baseball site.
The commercial is not as humorous as the 2009 commercials, but it is a very nice throw back to the old Twins logo circa 1961-1971.
Twins 2010 Salary
February 7, 2010
Jim Thome with White Sox
Assuming there will not be any other additions to the current roster, we have taken a look at the Twins salaries for 2010.
The Twins spent $65MM (not counting the $2.6MM to Mike Lamb) in 2009. When negotiating the deal for the new stadium, the Twins committed to spend more money. This year the Twins are looking to spend just over $93MM with all of the signings (including the $100K owed to Mike Lamb).
At $93MM the Twins payroll went from 24th in the league to 12th in the league. At this point, their salary estimate will put them about $2MM over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010 if the Dodgers roster does not change.
Here is what we have put together for the Minnesota Twins payroll in 2010.
Weekend round-up
February 6, 2010
Having a long Super Bowl Sunday ahead, it is probably best to update the site today just with a few little tidbits.
As many had suspected, the Twins did not have the highest bid for free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson — at least not in total dollars.
Ken Rosenthal reported that the Cleveland Indians offered Hudson a two-year, $10MM deal. Rosenthal noted that the present-day value would have been lower.
According to sources, the deal had a large portion of the guarantee money in the form of a buyout of a third-year option.
By accepting a one-year, $5 million contract from the Twins and with the Twins agreeing not to offer arbitration if Hudson is a type A free agent, Hudson went with a team more likely to contend in 2010 than his two other finalists, the Indians and Nationals. By not being able to offer arbitration, the Twins will not be able to pick up a draft pick if he signs with another team next season.
Minnie and Paul
If you are not in the metro area and would like to view it, it will be posted at www.twinsbaseball.com
Jarrod Washburn retired? Just fire your agent!
February 5, 2010
The Twins made a statement this off-season.
Quickly after the season ended, they announced the trade of Carlos Gomez for Milwaukee Brewer’s second baseman JJ Hardy. As we have mentioned many times, this trade was a win win for both teams and players.
The rest of the year was relatively quiet, but the Twins made another surprise move by offering Carl Pavano arbitration. Pavano and his agents didn’t accept immediately, but after checking the market, Pavano agreed to arbitration.
The Twins were on a roll, shedding the frugal small market team label. Next on the list for the organization and fans alike was a third baseman. The Twins put out feelers and at one time a rumored trade of Glen Perkins to San Diego and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff looked to be the path to filling some holes. But the deal never materialized as reports that San Diego wanted more exchange then the Twins were willing to part with.
After that the Twins seemed content going forward with their current options at third base with Brendan Harris, Matt Tolbert and Nick Punto. Bill Smith even went as far to say that if they felt the time was right, they would bring up Danny Valencia from triple A Rochester.
The Twins looked to shift their focus to pitching. Jarrod Washburn made it known to the media that he was very interested in returning home to the Wisconsin area and both the Twins and the Brewers were both interested in landing the powerful lefty. The Twins reported went so far as to offer the 35 year-old a $5MM one-year deal.
Now regardless if you think it was a fair amount, it was obvious that Jarrod Washburn was not truly interested in coming back home to play. Shortly after Washburn and his agent Scott Boras rejected the offer, Washburn was fielding offers for teams like the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners and even the New York Mets.
Jarrod Washburn
Washburn and Boras were not able to negotiate anything to their likings so now Washburn is rumored to be contemplating retiring if he doesn’t get the right offer from the right team.
Thank your agent for that Mr. Washburn.
Now that the Twins have sealed the deal with Orlando Hudson and the club is excited with the off season work of Francisco Liriano, there doesn’t seem to be much interest from the club.
Right now your value to most major league clubs is not even worth a $5MM one-year contract. Your stint in Detroit was not stellar ending the year there with a 7.33 ERA. The Twins might be willing to offer $2MM-$3MM with some incentives, but that would be a gift.
If you really want to play, do yourself a favor and drop Scott Boras and pick up an agent like Ron Shapiro. Sure you might not make as much money, but you will be in a better place.
Orlando Hudson added to Twins lineup
February 5, 2010
Orlando Hudson
Joe Christensen is reporting that the Twins have officially obtained Orlando Hudson after several days of negotiations. Hudson was reportedly looking at signing with the Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians and even the Seattle Mariners.
Reports are that Hudson will be signing a one-year deal worth $5MM. Hudson’s signing will likely mean Alexi Casilla will be optioned to Triple A Rochester, while Nick Punto will move to the role of utility infielder.
(update- Alexi Casilla is out of options, so likley move is to send Matt Tolbert or a pitcher such as Glen Perkins or Brian Duensing to Triple A)
Ken Rosenthal is tweeting that the Twins have also agreed not to offer Hudson arbitration if he is a Type A free agent.
The Twins infield will likely consist of Justin Morneau at first base, Orlando Hudson at second base, JJ Hardy at short-stop, and Brendan Harris at third base. Matt Tolbert and Nick Punto can both fill in between third, short and second when needed.
Hudson will likely move into the number two spot in the batting order. Currently the Twins could be projected to have a line up of:
- Denard Span
- Orlando Hudson
- Joe Mauer
- Justin Morneau
- Jason Kubel
- Michael Cuddyer
- Delmon Young
- JJ Hardy
- Brendan Harris
This is big news right on the heels of the signing of slugger Jim Thome.
Hudson close to signing with Twins?
February 4, 2010
Update:
Buster Olney is reporting via twitter that Hudson has come to terms with the Twins for a deal closing in on a $5 million with the Twins. The one-year deal was made, with the Cleveland Indians and Washington Nationals both also trying to persuade the 32-year-old to come to their respective clubs.
For a while it appeared that free agent second baseman, Orlando Hudson, was on the verge of signing with the Washington Nationals, however, the two could not reach an agreement on terms of money and all signs are showing that Hudson may be signing with the Twins in the near future.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com stated in a Twitter post that Hudson is likely heading to Minnesota. It was also reported that a deal between the two sides is almost done. Playing for a club with post-season potential may help sway Hudson’s decision as the Nationals have endured four straight losing seasons in a row.
Hudson will be entering his ninth season in the majors and has a career line of .282/.348/.417 (average/on-base/slugging) and while he doesn’t hit for power, he is a major upgrade over Alexi Casilla or Nick Punto in terms of what he brings to the plate. He has also be awarded four Gold Gloves for his defense at second base.
If the rumor pans out, it would appear that the middle infield situation would be greatly improved over last season. With Hudson, JJ Hardy and Jim Thome all on board, the outlook for the Twins seems to reach further than just settling with a AL Central Division title.
WCCO reports Mauer agrees to 10-year deal with Twins
February 1, 2010
According to Mark Rosen of the Twins Cities WCCO, Joe Mauer has preliminarily agreed with the Twins on a 10-year contract extension.
The 26-year old MVP had been in quiet negotiations with the Twins as they tried to retain the golden glover before the start of the 2010 season which would be his last.
Joe Mauer
Mauer set an MLB record for highest batting average by a catcher and one is third batting title, becoming the first repeat batting champion since Nomar Garciaparra in 1999 with the Boston Red Sox.
WCCO has announce Rosen will have the latest details later tonight.
