Mackey: Twins committed to finishing climb, but must unclog outfield
July 31, 2011
By not pulling the trigger on any deals prior to Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins' front office A.) saved itself from making a mistake, in one case, and B.) thumbed its nose at math and logic and turned its back on contenders reportedly interested in acquiring free-agents-to-be Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer, Jim Thome and possibly others.
Eight games under .500 and seven games back...
AL Central Trades
July 31, 2011
Here are this month's trades in the AL Central, headlined by the deal that brought Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians..
Indians
- Acquired outfield prospect Thomas Neal from the Indians for shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
- Acquired Ubaldo Jimenez from the Rockies for Joe Gardner, Alex White, Matt McBride and a player to be named later. The deal is expected to include left-hander Drew Pomeranz once he's eligible to be traded in mid-August.
- Acquired right fielder Kosuke Fukudome and about $3.9MM from the Cubs for minor leaguer outfielder Abner Abreu and reliever Carlton Smith.
Royals
- Acquired infielder/outfielder Yamaico Navarro and reliever Kendal Volz from the Red Sox for infielder Mike Aviles.
- Acquired prospects Antonio Cruz and Julio Rodriguez from the Tigers for Wilson Betemit.
Tigers
- Acquired starter Doug Fister and reliever David Pauley from the Mariners for third baseman Francisco Martinez, outfielder Casper Wells, southpaw Charlie Furbush, and a player to be named later. The PTBNL is reportedly one of the Tigers' top three picks from the 2010 draft, meaning that it's either Nick Castellanos, Chance Ruffin, or Drew Smyly.
- Acquired Wilson Betemit from the Royals for prospects Antonio Cruz and Julio Rodriguez.
Twins
- The Twins didn't complete any of the deals they discussed.
White Sox
- Acquired reliever Jason Frasor and starter Zach Stewart from the Blue Jays for starter Edwin Jackson and third baseman Mark Teahen.
AL Central Notes: Hunter, Thornton, Rauch, Indians
July 31, 2011
The American League Central welcomed a handful of new players this week - most notably right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Yet many other trades didn't materialize. Here are the details on some deals that could have impacted the division...
- The Tigers tried to acquire Tommy Hunter from the Rangers before the Orioles obtained him in the Koji Uehara deal yesterday, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Tigers did acquire Doug Fister for their rotation.
- The Brewers called on every good left-handed relief option out there, including White Sox southpaw Matt Thornton, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (on Twitter).
- The Twins talked to the Blue Jays about re-acquiring Jon Rauch, but talks went nowhere, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
- The Indians discussed as many as 75 players leading up to the deadline, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (on Twitter).
Twins to reinstate Denard Span from DL; Luke Hughes optioned
July 31, 2011
Just a few hours after electing to hold onto center fielder Denard Span through Sunday's trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins announced that Span will be activated from the disabled list in time for Tuesday's game in Anaheim.
To make room, the team optioned infielder Luke Hughes to Triple-A Rochester.
Span was scheduled to finish out his Triple-A rehab assignment with Rochester on Sunday before hopping on a flight to Anaheim Monday.
Span suffered...
Twins Daily: Pavano’s struggles continue, as Twins drop 2 of 3 to A’s
July 31, 2011
By not selling off any key pieces prior to the trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins' front office showed confidence in the product on the field, but the product failed to return the favor, dropping Sunday's game to the Oakland A's 7-3.
The skinny
Carl Pavano's struggles of late came to a head in a six-run third inning by the A's on Sunday, and the Twins -- despite taking a 3-0 lead early -- were unable to recover.
Pavano was lifted after only four innings, having allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and two...
Span stays: Despite several discussions, Twins stand pat at deadline
July 31, 2011
Denard Span isn't going anywhere.
The 3 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline passed Sunday without a peep from the Minnesota Twins, who elected not to swing any deals.
The Twins were deeply involved in discussions with the Washington Nationals about a trade that would send Span to the National League in exchange for bullpen help -- reportedly closer Drew Storen, and possibly others.
That trade did not happen.
In a conference call with reporters, general manager Bill Smith...
Nationals, Twins Not Close On Span Trade
July 31, 2011
2:46pm: The teams are not close on a Span trade, tweets Jon Paul Morosi.
12:29pm: The Twins don't currently believe this deal can get done, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown. The Nationals so far will not include Storen, tweets Scott Miller.
9:43am: ESPN's Tim Kurkjian tweets that the chances of a Storen/Span deal are less than 50/50. The Nationals are still in the mix for B.J. Upton.
7:59am: Nationals closer Drew Storen is in the Denard Span trade with the Twins, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, but the hangup is over the other players in the deal. Yesterday we heard names such as Roger Bernadina and Stephen Lombardozzi of the Nationals.
Justin Morneau could begin rehab assignment as soon as this week
July 31, 2011
The Minnesota Twins may be close to adding an impact bat.
Not via trade, but instead with the return of first baseman Justin Morneau, who has been taking batting practice and going through various baseball activities with no issues.
"He's actually doing really good," manager Ron Gardenhire said in an interview with 1500 ESPN on Sunday.
"He's getting pumped up, and as we go through the weekend and get into next week, we're looking at how we can get him into games next week and start playing."
Morneau was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 14 with a...
Span wants to be a Twin ‘for the rest of the deal I signed a year ago’
July 31, 2011
With the Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals deeply involved in trade talks as the 3 p.m. Sunday deadline approaches, outfielder Denard Span -- the centerpiece of those talks -- has made his feelings clear.
"I want to be in a twins uniform after today and for the rest of the deal I Signed a year ago!" Span said Sunday morning in a tweet. "To my teammates that I hope I see again u guys know what type of person and team player I am." July 31, 2011 The latest on Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick, who is hitting .238/.301/.373 and has $2.2MM left on his contract...
That deal, which pays Span less than $25 million total through 2015, is one of the most
Pirates, Indians In Mix For Ryan Ludwick
