Tied for first
October 3, 2009
After the Twins split a four game series with the Detroit Tigers, the Twins had a very small chance of getting into the playoffs as they were down two games in the standings with three to play.
Two days later, things sure have changed.
The Twins have taken two games from perennial September spoilers, the Kansas City Royals, while the Tigers have lost a pair of games to the Chicago White Sox. Due to this, the Twins and the Tigers are tied at the top of the standings.
The final game for both teams are tomorrow afternoon and there are four possible scenarios that could play out. Two of them would put the Twins against the Tigers in a tie breaker game in the Metrodome on Tuesday. This would happen if both teams won or if both teams lost on Sunday.
If the Twins sweep the Royals and the Tigers are swept by the Sox, then the Twins would win the AL Central Division Title. If the Tigers win and the Twins lose their final game at the Metrodome, the Tigers would win their first Division Title in 22 years.
Three of the four possible scenarios would work in the Twins’ favor. If game 163 is needed, it would be at home where the Twins have been great this season. Plus, Tigers ace, Justin Verlander, is on the mound on Sunday which would mean he wouldn’t have be in line to face the Twins on Tuesday.
With the Tigers starting their game an hour earlier, you can bet there will be a lot of scoreboard watching during the game.
Judging by the season the Twins were having this year, who would have thought that it would all come down to the final day of the season before the winner for the AL Central would be decided? This is what makes baseball a great sport.
All I can say now is go Twins!
Playoff baseball in September
September 28, 2009
The AL Central race is going down to the wire and a winner could very well be decided within the next four days. The Twins are in Detroit to take on the AL Central leading Tigers in a four game series with first place at stake.
The Tigers can shatter the Twins hopes of reaching the postseason by winning at least three of the four games. This is something that shouldn’t be too hard for the Tigers as they hold one of the better home records in the American League by going 48-26 at Comerica Park.
On the other hand, if the Twins can defy the odds and win three out of four games against the Tigers, the two teams would be even in the standings with three games left to play. A series sweep by the Twins would move them two games ahead of Detroit in the standings with a final home stand against the Kansas City Royals on the horizon.
The Twins have been playing their best baseball as of late, winning 11 of their last 13 games, and have complete critical series sweeps late in the season. The Twins took first place last year after completing a three game sweep of first place Chicago in the final week season.
While the Twins have been winning, the Tigers have been losing more often than not and have lost 11 of their last 19 games. Two of those losses have been against the Twins when the two met recently at the Metrodome. Four of the 11 losses were at Comerica Park.
With most of the pennant races already decided, this is one of the few meaningful games with playoff implications left this season. These four games should be considered as playoff games for the Twins, as their season could come to a screeching halt after Thursday.
Of course, if the Twins can pull it off, it wouldn’t be the first time Minnesota has squeaked by Detroit at the last moment to win the AL Central title. Hopefully the Tigers aren’t too bitter from the events that unfolded in 2006.
Twins still trying to close the gap
September 21, 2009
Twins vs A's 2009-09-11
Having lost 2 of 3 to the lowly A’s, the Twins turned around and took 2 of 3 from Detroit moving them them to just 3 games behind the Tigers. Just when you thought they were out of the hunt, dropping the two games to the A’s, Detroit stutters and allows the Twins to stay in the chase.
Now the Twins hit the road until October and the schedule is deceivingly easy. The Twins start the road trip with three against the third place and struggling White Sox. The Twins then head down to Kauffman Stadium to play three games against a struggling Royals team. The Royals could end up playing spoilers for the Twins as the season winds to an end.
The Twins then finish the long road trip with three games against Detroit. It will be interesting to see what the pitching rotation might end up being about this time as the Twins have struggled against Detroit’s pitching (like most other teams this year).
The Twins will then finish the year with three games at the Dome against the Royals. The Royals are 4 for 6 at the Dome this year and although the pitching at this point is a little better then it was at the beginning of the year, the Twins are going to need to bring their best game against the Royals and hope that they Detroit gives them an opportunity to get into the post season.
Moment of Truth: Tigers vs. Twins
September 18, 2009
This is what baseball in September is all about.
The Twins have been written off several times already this season but have clung on mostly due to a weak AL Central Division and the fact that the Tigers can’t seem to put a streak together long enough to pull far enough ahead.
The Twins are just four games behind the Tigers in the standings, which makes the weekend series between the two divisional rivals a make-or-break series for the Twins. After Sunday’s game the Twins could pull within a game behind or a far out as seven games in the standings. Afterwards, the two teams still have another four games to play against each other in Detroit.
In baseball the saying goes “it’s not who you play, it’s when you play them,” and right now the Tigers are on a skid in which they have gone 3-7 in the last ten games. Five of the seven losses where against the Kansas City Royals, who have the worst record in the American League. The Twins, on the other hand, have momentum on their side as they are riding a four game win streak, which includes a sweep of the Cleveland Indians.
If momentum wasn’t enough, the Tigers have had their share of difficulties playing in the Metrodome this season and hold a 1-5 record under the Teflon roof. Their one victory was an 16 inning game where the Tigers pulled together three runs in the 16th and pitched out of a two on, one out jam to hang on to the victory.
The Twins will also be sending a good rotation to the mound with Brian Duensing, Carl Pavano and Scott Baker scheduled to face the Tigers. Out of the five-man rotation, these are the three I’d like to see face the Tigers especially with what these games mean to both clubs.
Not to mention, Pavano is 4-0 against the Tigers this season while holding them to a total of five earned runs. He pitched seven shutout innings the last time he faced the Tigers.
One big problem the Twins will have is that they are without the corners of the infield with Justin Morneau and Joe Crede out for the season. Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, Jose Morales and even Nick Punto have picked up the slack, though, and have gotten hot during the final stretch of the season when the Twins need it the most.
Yes, the Twins play in a weak division and should have been finished off long ago with the mediocre ball they have been playing this season, but they have stuck around and there will be some excitement in the Dome this weekend. If there was ever a time where the Twins needed to start playing a good stretch of baseball, that time is now.
Another Central Division Championship is there for the taking.
Deadline Deals
August 4, 2009
The Twins All-Stars let their voices be heard about the club making a deal before the trade deadline to address some weak points and help the team contend in the American League Central. The Twins are a historically quiet time during this time of the year, but Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan must have struck the right chord as the Twins front office finally made a deal to grab Orlando Cabrera from the Athletics.
One has to question, though, is that going to be enough?
With less than 60 games remaining on the schedule, and despite a record lower than 500, the Twins are still very well in the hunt for the division title. The Twins also have a favorable schedule with a majority of them being played against the weaker half of the divisional rivals. With the exception of Texas, the rest of their non-divisional games are against teams with losing records in Baltimore, Toronto and Oakland.
The addition of Cabrera can help patch some problems in the infield and help in the batting order, however, the real problem lies in the pitching staff – both the starting rotation and the bullpen.
Over the course of the season, pitching has either taken the Twins out of the game or given up the game in winning situations. One game that immediately comes to mind is the blown 10-run lead against Oakland a few weeks ago. The Twins offense was alive in that game, however, Nick Blackburn and the Twins bullpen couldn’t hold on to the win. If that wasn’t enough, Glen Perkins and Kevin Mulvey served up batting practice for the Athletics two days later in a 16-1 blowout.
The writing was on the wall that the Twins needed help in the pitching department. It was on the wall last year when the bullpen was having issues and coughing up leads, yet nothing was done about it. The expectations were high with the starting rotation, but they find themselves down a man in Kevin Slowey with the other four being shaky at best, yet nothing was done about it.
Meanwhile, their two competing divisional rivals shore up their pitching problems with Jarrod Weaver going to the Detroit Tigers and Jake Peavy going to the Chicago White Sox. Both were traded for next to nothing.
To make matters worse, the Twins pitching staff had a rough post-trade deadline weekend with their starters giving up 22 runs off 30 hits in 13 2/3 innings in a three game series against the Los Angeles Angels. The bullpen didn’t fare much better by giving up 16 runs off 19 hits in 15 1/3 innings of work. This includes a come-from-behind extra innings victory for the Angels.
If that doesn’t open some eyes, and some wallets, it is possible that nothing will at all. Let’s just hope there is some sort of diamond in the rough on the waiver wire or else this season may be all but done for.
All Metrodome Team
July 28, 2009
To commemorate the final year in the Metrodome, the Twins are putting together the All-Metrodome Team which is voted on by fans, media and a veterans committee. The team will be announced on Tuesday night and I am going to take a moment to state who I think will be on the team and who I voted for.
First Base
Nominees: Ron Coomer, Kent Hrbek, Gene Larkin, Doug Mientkiewicz, Justin Morneau
This should be a no-brainer for the most part. Since moving into the Metrodome the Twins have had two memorable first basemen, which are Kent Hrbek and Justin Morneau. While Morneau has developed into a star and perennial MVP contender, Hrbek gets the honor of being on the All-Metrodome Team based solely on his two World Series Championship rings. Plus, he is the local boy.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Kent Hrbek
My Vote: Kent Hrbek
Second Base
Nominees: John Castino, Chuck Knoblauch, Steve Lombardozzi, Al Newman, Todd Walker
Steve Lombardozzi puts up a strong case as he tallied the highest batting average in the 1987 World Series, but the second base position has to go to the 1991 Rookie of the Year, Chuck Knoblauch. At second base, Knoblauch earned a Gold Glove plus led the team in batting average in 1995 and 1996. He didn’t leave the team on the best of terms, but his playing on the field made up for it.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Chuck Knoblauch
My Vote: Chuck Knoblauch
Shortstop
Nominees: Jason Bartlett, Greg Gagne, Cristian Guzman, Pat Meares, Ron Washington
Only seven Twins players were on both the 1987 and 1991 World Series Champion teams and Greg Gagne was one of them. Gagne was never known as a power hitter, but his great defense more than made up for it. Even so, Gagne could hit in clutch moments such as the 3-run home run in Game 1 of the 1991 World Series and a two out RBI single to give the Twins the lead in Game 7 of the 1987 World Series.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Greg Gagne
My Vote: Greg Gagne
Third Base
Nominees: Gary Gaetti, Corey Koskie, Scott Leius, Mike Pagliarulo, Nick Punto
The G-Man has to get the nod at third based on his list of accomplishments when compared to the rest of the nominees. Gaetti played with Twins for 10 years and racked up a World Series Championship, four Gold Gloves, two All-Star appearances and was named the American League Championship Series MVP in 1987 where he hit two home runs in his first two at-bats. All of this plus an astounding 360 career home runs in a career that nearly spanned two decades.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Gary Gaetti
My Vote: Gary Gaetti
Catcher
Nominees: Brian Harper, Tim Laudner, Joe Mauer, A.J. Pierzynski, Terry Steinbach
If there is one position that gets the overall vote in a landslide victory it will be at catcher. Sure, there will be some who vote for Laudner and probably even a few more for Pierzynski, but the fact is Joe Mauer will walk away with this one. Mauer has become the face of this franchise and, pending a contract extension, will hopefully be the face of the team until the day he retires. In six season with the Twins he has been selected as an All-Star three times, won a Gold Glove and not one, but two, AL batting titles with a very good chance at a third one this season.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Joe Mauer
My Vote: Joe Mauer
Outfielders (3 Selections)
Nominees: Tom Brunansky, Randy Bush, Marty Cordova, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Gladden, Mickey Hatcher, Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Jason Kubel, Matt Lawton, Shane Mack, Kirby Puckett
Two of the 12 nominees should be easy to pick out as both of them roamed the confines of center field for a good majority of the years the Twins played in the Metrodome – Kirby Puckett and Torii Hunter. My other choice, though, may fall short but I have to pick the Dazzle Man, Dan Gladden.
Puckett is deserving of the honor as the first ballot Hall of Famer played all 12 years with the Twins and is one of the five Twins players to have his number retired by the team. Not to mention the two World Championships, the 10 All-Star selections, the six gold gloves and all of the memories on both offense and defense that he gave to the Twins fans through the years. Whether it was hitting a game winning home run in Game 6 or making a huge catch off the plexi-glass, Kirby was the man to watch on the Twins.
Much like Puckett, Torii Hunter was the man to watch on the Twins in the late 90′s and into the new millennium. Hunter earned seven Gold Gloves while with the Twins with his amazing catches in the outfield. Hunter also showed power at the plate with six seasons of 20+ home runs and was a driving force in getting the Twins to four AL Central Titles. Unfortunately, Hunter would leave the club after the 2007 season and head for Los Angeles after being offered a 5-year $90 million deal.
Dan Gladden’s career was sandwiched between the two championship years of 1987 and 1991 and also was one of the seven to play on both teams. Gladden made his mark on history by hitting a grand slam in Game 1 of the 87 Series and scoring the winning, and only, run in Game 7 of the 91 Series. Since retiring from baseball in 1993 (unless you count his time in Japan), Gladden has been active with the Twins as a scout before heading into the radio booth to provide color commentary.
My selection of Dan Gladden, though, is a dark horse in my mind. Out of all of the nominees, I could see Tom Brunansky being the third selection instead of Gladden.
All-Metrodome Team Predictions: Kirby Puckett, Torii Hunter, Tom Brunansky
My Votes: Kirby Puckett, Torii Hunter, Dan Gladden
Designated Hitter
Nominees: Chili Davis, Paul Molitor, David Ortiz, Roy Smalley, Dave Winfield
Out of all of the choices for the All-Metrodome team, the designated hitter position was the hardest to select. This is mainly due to the fact that the nominees, with the exception of Roy Smalley, spent little time with the club. I have a good idea that my selection won’t make the team, but I have to go with Chili Davis.
David Ortiz flourished with the Red Sox and even though both Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield are local boys, I have to say that Davis’s role in 1991 greatly helped the Twins go from worst to first and win the World Series. Davis was a switch hitter that led the Twins in home runs, SLG, OBP and OPS. Davis also had two home runs during the 91 Series.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Paul Molitor
My Vote: Chili Davis
Starting Pitcher (3 Selections)
Nominees: Allan Anderson, Bert Blyleven, Scott Erickson, Joe Mays, Eric Milton, Jack Morris, Brad Radke, Johan Santana, Mike Smithson, Kevin Tapani, Frank Viola
I wish we were allowed to choose more than three starting pitchers because there are a few that are deserving of the honor but obviously won’t make the cut. Out of the 11 nominations, I feel Blyleven, Erickson, Morris, Radke, Santana, Tapani and Viola all have a good case for being selected. Since only three can make it, I have to go with Santana, Viola and Radke.
Johan Santana is a solid selection just due to his sheer dominance. Santana never won a World Championship with the Twins but was a Cy Young Award winner in 2004 and 2006 that attacked batters with his fastball and changeup. Santana racked up nearly 1400 strike outs with the Twins with a 93-44 record and four shut outs. Santana even won a Gold Glove on the mound in 2007 before leaving for the bright lights in the big city of New York.
Frank Viola was a mainstay in the Twins rotation for a good portion of the 80s and picked up 112 wins with the club. Viola did not put up the strike out numbers that Johan Santana did, but Viola was a workhorse who pitched 54 complete games with 10 of them being shut outs. He also won a World Series with the Twins in 1987 along with the World Series MVP and a Cy Young Award in 1988 when he led the league with 24 wins.
Brad Radke may not be a popular choice but he was the embodiment of what it meant to be a Minnesota Twin. Radke grew up just across the border in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and played his entire 12 year career with the Twins. Part of his career with the club was during the lean years but that didn’t stop Radke from being one of the best pitchers in the league. In 1997, when the Twins went 68-94, Radke had a record of 20-10 with four complete games and a shutout. The 20 wins includes a 12 game win streak that help put Radke in the running for a Cy Young Award along with the likes of Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson. Radke finally retired after the 2006 season with a final record of 148-139.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Johan Santana, Frank Viola, Bert Blyleven
My Votes: Johan Santana, Frank Viola, Brad Radke
Relief Pitcher (2 Selections)
Nominees: Rick Aguilera, Juan Berenguer, Ron Davis, Eddie Guardado, Mark Guthrie, LaTroy Hawkins, Joe Nathan, Jeff Reardon, Juan Rincon, J.C. Romero
There are a lot of good names in the list of relievers, however, since I can only choose two, they have to be the closers Rick Aguilera and Joe Nathan.
Rick Aguilera came over for his first stint with the Twins in a trade for one of the star pitchers in Frank Viola in 1989. Aguilera was dominant in his closing role and picked up a team record of 42 saves in the 1991 championship season, plus three saves in the 91 World Series. To this day, Aguilera holds the Twins team record in saves with 254 and was an All-Star three times in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Joe Nathan has picked up where Aguilera left off and has become one of the best closers in the game. Nathan dominates batters with a fastball and slider and has racked up 476 strike outs and 226 saves with the Twins in just over five years. Nathan is also a perennial All-Star candidate with a total of four appearances in the years of 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009. Nathan is likely to break Aguilera’s record of team saves to further cement his legacy as a part of Twins baseball.
All-Metrodome Team Predictions: Rick Aguilera, Joe Nathan
My Votes: Rick Aguilera, Joe Nathan
Manager
Nominees: Ron Gardenhire, Billy Gardner, Tom Kelly
This selection is one of the easiest to choose and that is Tom Kelly as the All-Metrodome Team manager. Kelly’s time as the manager lasted nearly as long as the Metrodome itself with him being in charge of the Twins from late 1986 to 2001. It was with Kelly that the Twins won both of the World Series Championships, however, if you look at the numbers, the Twins were 1140-1244 with Kelly at the helm. Even with the sub-500 record, TK is more than deserving of the honor of All-Metrodome Team manager for his hand in developing Twins baseball.
All-Metrodome Team Prediction: Tom Kelly
My Vote: Tom Kelly
A case for instant replay
July 21, 2009
Baseball has been around for over a century, although it has only implemented a form of instant replay since late last year. The use of replay, though, is only allowed to make sure the proper call has been made on questionable home runs. Last night’s game ending play at the plate that took place between the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland Athletics, however, gives cause to broaden that scope in the future.
The Twins had given up a 10-run lead throughout the course of the game and found themselves down a run in a high scoring 14-13 game in the top of the ninth. They were down to their last out with the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at first when reliever, Michael Wuertz, threw a pitch in the dirt that got away from catcher, Kurt Suzuki, and rolled to the backstop.
Suzuki had troubles tracking down where the ball had gone as Michael Cuddyer took off from second and headed for home. Suzuki grabbed the ball and tossed it to Wuertz who tagged a sliding Cuddyer. Home plate umpire, Mike Muchlinski, called Cuddyer out, thus ending the game. Cuddyer sprung up from the ground and argued with the umpire as Ron Gardenhire came out to do the same.
A replay of the tag was shown on television and it was clear that Cuddyer slid under the tag and crossed the plate with his leg before Wuertz put his glove down. There wasn’t much that could be done, though, as the game was finished instead of being tied at 14 with a runner on third.
Whether or not to use instant replay in Major League Baseball has been a hot topic for quite some time now. Baseball traditionalist argued that it would take away the human element, while others have argued that it would add too much time to an already long game. Both of those are valid arguments but I think that a limited use of instant replay, aside from home run balls, would greatly help the sport.
Allowing a team to question every single play would be a nightmare for both players and fans. Blown calls are part of all sports and I would not want to see the watchful eye of the camera to be used to second guess balls and strikes, stolen bases or base running plays. The umpires are there for a reason.
Game changing plays, however, namely questionable plays at the plate, could benefit from video replay and slow motion video, especially since those can easily called incorrectly due to the speed of the play or due to the view from which they are standing.
Limiting replay to those calls and home runs would not add too much time to the game either. For example, the Twins had some first-hand experience in the current state of baseball’s instant replay system on Sunday when a home run from Andruw Jones of the Texas Rangers was ruled a foul ball after it was reviewed. It took the umpires about two minutes to get together, watch the footage, overturn the decision and resume the game.
That didn’t add too much to the game, now did it?
I think most fans automatically think to football when the topic of instant replay comes up. With football, the coaches already start with the ability to challenge the officials with their calls on the field. It can also take anywhere from three to five minutes to review a single play. You have to remember, though, that if a play is overturned in football that they have to respot the ball and at times the game clock, which is why it can take so long.
Baseball wouldn’t have any of that. Have the umpires decide when to check the video footage to see if the ball is fair or foul or if the runner is safe or out. It doesn’t need to get much more complex than that. If time really is that important, have a two man video umpire team that makes the replay calls for the crew on the field.
The cameras are already in place. The umpires already have instant replay booths in each of the stadiums. Why can’t they use it for other game changing plays aside from home runs? As the Twins found out last season, one game can make a difference. Let’s hope that doesn’t ring true for them this year as this game will immediately come to mind to all Twins fans. The game the officials decided the outcome in Oakland.
Crain Wreck
June 15, 2009
The bullpen for the Twins got a lot of heat last season due to their ability to give up games in a seemingly regular basis. Both Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier had subpar seasons and hopes were high that they would rebound this year to help bridge the gap to Joe Nathan in the ninth inning.
Matt Guerrier has shown signs of improvement with a 3.03 ERA from a total of 10 earned runs over 29 2/3 innings. Jesse Crain, however, is going in the opposite direction with an ERA of 8.15 from 17 runs in 17 2/3 innings.
Crain started out the season on a strong note and had his ERA sitting at 1.59 after giving up a single run in 5 2/3 innings of work. Crain’s ERA then shot up to 7.50 after giving up four runs in 1/3 inning to the Los Angeles Angels at the Metrodome. He was then placed on the disabled list shortly after the outing due to inflammation in his right shoulder.
Crain was recalled from the disabled list on May 4th and has significantly regressed on the mound. Since returning from the DL, Crain’s ERA is 9.16 with 11 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings which equates to about a run each inning, and that is if he even records an inning of work.
Crain hasn’t retired a single batter on three occasions this season. He had back-to-back appearances where he came in just to give up runs before being pulled out of the game. On May 12th, Crain came into the eighth inning and gave up two singles and a double to give the Seattle Mariners the lead and the win. Crain would be given the loss in the game for his first loss of the season.
His next appearance came two days later against the Detroit Tigers. Crain would deliver a 3-2 fastball to Ramon Santiago who would send it over the wall in right center field. Crain would follow that with a five pitch walk to walk Curtis Granderson before being pulled out of the game. The Twins had a secure 6-1 lead when Crain came in so although the run raised his ERA, it didn’t affect the outcome of the game.
The last appearance when Crain failed to record an inning of work was against the 10-5 blow out of the Oakland Athletics. The game looked to be well within hand with the Twins cruising to a 10-0 lead until Scott Baker ran into some troubles and loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth.
Crain was sent in to replace Baker and it would take a single pitch to allow the A’s to put two runs on the board. Crain then loaded the bases with a walk and a fielding error allowed another run to score before he was taken out of the game. Due to the error, Crain would only be charged with one earned run.
That outing was Crain’s last appearance before being put into a 2-2 tie game against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Although the Twins bullpen had gotten a bit of a rest during the three game series against the Cubs, Ron Gardenhire decided to put Crain in to pitch the ninth innings even with his penchant to give up runs.
Crain would get one quick one-pitch out to start out the inning, but followed with a pair of singles and an intentional walk to load the bases. Ryan Theroit then hit a single past second to score a run, a familiar sight with Crain, and the Cubs took the walk off win. It was his second walk off loss of the season.
To add to the frustration is the fact that the Twins had to send down a pitcher like Anthony Swarzak, who pitched seven shut out innings on Saturday against Chicago, to Triple-A while Crain and his high ERA are still sitting in the bullpen.
It can be said that the entire Twins bullpen has had their issues this season, however, Crain is the only one who hasn’t shown at least the slightest signs of improvement over the course of the season. Even Luis Ayala has had his good outings.
The problem is, though, what can be done to remedy the situation. Here are a few options the team could consider.
Many Twins fans would have liked to see Swarzak remain a starter with Francisco Liriano or Glen Perkins being put into a role in the bullpen. This would be a viable option especially since Liriano has had a rough start to the season, but I don’t foresee the Twins giving up a left handed starter to give Swarzak a spot in the rotation.
A different option would be to give Swarzak a spot in the bullpen to give him more major league experience. Ron Gardenhire stated earlier that if he had to kick someone out to put “Swarzy” in, they would. Jesse Crain is giving the Twins a good case to kick someone out.
Another option would be to look at Armando Gabino who is a right handed reliever and is part of the 40-man roster. Gabino has been working in Triple-A Rochester and has a 3-1 record with an ERA of 3.03 in 38 2/3 innings pitched. His strike out to walk ratio is a tad high, however, with 25 strike outs and 14 walks, which could keep the Twins from calling him up before September.
One final option would be to look at some other teams for a possible trade. One name that has been mentioned by the St. Paul Pioneer Press is LaTroy Hawkins, who played with the Twins from 1995-2003. There was talk of bringing Hawkins back last season, however, the team opted to go with Eddie Guardado instead.
This year, Hawkins is sitting at an 2.60 ERA in 27 2/3 innings, which is one of the lower ERAs of the Houston Astros pitching staff. The drawback to Hawkins, however, is his age, which is at 36. Plus, everyone saw how well Guardado helped last season when he was brought back to the Twins from the Texas Rangers. Hawkins could give the Twins an opportunity for history to repeat itself and Twins fans know all to well how aging players mesh with their young team.
Whatever the Twins decide to do, it is safe to say that something needs to be done with Crain and it needs to be done soon if the Twins want to be legitimate contenders in the AL Central. Since returning from the disabled list his pitching hasn’t improved in the slightest, even with huge leads, and can only be counted on to give up runs.
The Twins need a decent, reliable, set up man for Joe Nathan. Jesse Crain is not the answer. With the way he is pitching, I don’t think he can even be trusted with 10 run leads, let alone as an eighth inning reliever.
Heading for Chicago
June 12, 2009
By the time you read this I will probably be somewhere near or in the Chicago area. I will be attending the Minnesota Twins/Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field on Saturday afternoon.
Even though the Twins are in the American League and the Cubs are in the National League, this will mark the third time I have seen these two teams face each other. I saw them for the first time in 1988 in an exhibition game and again in 2000 in an interleague game, both of which took place at the Metrodome.
The sole reason why I have seen these two play each other at various times throughout the year is that my mom is a die-hard Cubs fan, so much so that I got to see the Cubs play in Wrigley Field before I even went to my first Twins game at the Metrodome.
When I was growing up, my mom would literally watch every Cubs game on WGN, which of course were mainly during the day since Wrigley didn’t have outdoor lights as of yet. I watched plenty of games with her and even though I lived in Minnesota, I thought that Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe, Shawon Dunston and Leon Durham were some of the greatest players to walk the face of the Earth. Even more so than Kirby Puckett and that Hrbek guy.
Of course, a pair of World Series Championships would help me change my views on the local team. Hell, the Cubs haven’t even been in the World Series since 1945, which ironically, is the year my mother was born. The lack of World Series appearances and the 100 year championship drought hasn’t deterred my mom from rooting for her favorite team, though.
For her birthday, my wife and I bought her a ticket to the interleague game at Wrigley Field and are going with along with my brother and his family. I know for a fact that eight of us will be outsiders and cheering for the Twins on Saturday. One will stay loyal to her colors and root, root, root for the Cubbies. Holy cow!
Middle Infield Dilemma
June 11, 2009
What to do, what to do, what to do.
Nick Punto is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday after being placed on it from an injured groin. This creates a bit of a jam as Brendan Harris has filled in quite well at short in Punto’s absence. In the past two weeks Harris has gone 17-for-50 for a .340 batting average with six doubles and a home run. Mixed within this span is a 12 game hitting streak that was finally snapped on Monday night.
That same night, however, Harris showed off his versatility at short with a pair of diving grabs that helped stop the bleeding when Anthony Swarzak had troubles finding the strike zone. Harris did commit a fielding error during the game but that was clearly overshadowed by his two web gems in the horrid fourth inning. The game could have quickly spiraled out of control had it not been for those defensive plays and helped keep the Twins in the remainder of the game.
Keeping Harris as an everyday short stop, at least for now, is an option the Twins seriously need to consider. If it is an option they are willing to go with, they will need to address the other jam that will happen at second base.
When Punto signed the two year contract extension over the offseason, Ron Gardenhire stated that he wanted Punto as his everyday short stop. Brendan Harris probably isn’t the best option to have at second, but Punto can play there. Plus, there is still the option of Matt Tolbert or Alexi Casilla, one of which will more than likely be sent down to Triple-A once Punto is reactivated.
It is almost a mirror image when you compare the stats of Punto, Tolbert and Casilla. All of them have sub 200 batting averages with Tolbert leading the three with .191, Punto is sitting at .187 and Casilla is batting .180. There is only one home run out of the three of them and that one belongs to Tolbert. Not exactly Murderer’s Row if you know what I mean. My guess is Casilla will be the one who gets sent to Rochester, which would give the Twins an option to move Punto to second with Tolbert playing a utility role or vice versa.
When Harris’ stats are compared with the rest of the team, he ranks right up there with the heart of the line up with the likes of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. His play on both sides of the diamond has earned him a starting spot for the team in my eyes. He may not be the best permanent solution but he is the best option the team has at this time.
