The Minnesota Twins once again will be watching the Fall Classic at home. Only good news is they bought the new 3D TV's... so they have that going for them. Just because they are done for 2010, doesn't mean it's any time to be sitting around. There are many decisions to be made in the coming months. The Twins must decide on who to keep from their own crop of free agents, who they can target from other teams, and possible trades they may be able to swing.
In 2010, the Minnesota Twins payroll eclipse 100 million for the first time. They were in the top 5 teams in attendance (thank you Target Field), and had the second highest TV ratings in baseball, trailing only the St. Louis Cardinals. It may seem odd then, that we are going to have to slash some payroll, but it's true. The most obvious area the Twins need to cut is in the Bullpen. They have Nathan making around 13 million, Capps looking at arbitration which could push his salary near the 7 million mark, Fuentes made 9 million last season and is in free agency, Rauch made 2.9 and is a free agent, and Crain and Guerrier made a combined 5.15 million last season and could both be due for a raise. I think Capps will be around to start 2011, but will be traded once Nathan can prove he is back. Fuentes will be gone. Too pricey, and he wants to close. Fuentes is a type B free agent, so the Twins could get a compensatory pick after the first round for him. Rauch is gone too I believe. Again, another type B free Agent. The biggest decision is on who to keep between Crain and Guerrier. Crain is a type B free agent, which could lead to more interest from other teams on him. Guerrier somehow is a type A free Agent, and I have a tough time believing a team would give up a first round pick to the Twins to sign him. So I think Crain may be gone (with yet another sandwich pick in first round) and Guerrier is back. Anthony Slama and Carlos Gutierrez will need to step up and be big contributers for the Twins next year.
Other decisions on the team need to be made on Carl Pavano and Orlando Hudson. Orlando Hudson is most definitely gone in my opinion. Alexi Casilla is sitting in waiting. Hudson also had the fortune of being labeled a type B free agent, so once again the Twins could receive another draft pick. (If you are counting, that is already 4 extra picks for the Twins). Pavano may be the most sought after Pitcher in free agency this year (not including Cliff Lee due to lack of team who can afford him). He will be a Type A free agent, which could net the Twins two more first round picks if he leaves. He will be pricey to re-sign. Probably somewhere in the 10 million a year range. This wouldn't be too bad, except Pavano is going to want 3 or 4 years, which I don't believe the Twins will be willing to risk. Mustache or no. So I believe Pavano is gone too.
JJ Hardy, Delmon Young, and Liriano are all due raises through arbitration next season. Liriano is definitely coming back. I expect the Twins to try and lock him up for up to three years this off season. Delmon Young will probably be on the roster next spring with a good raise (unless he is traded... more on that soon). JJ Hardy had a rough year with injuries, and it showed on the field. For up to 7 million dollars next year, Hardy is not a viable option at this price. I would expect the Twins to either trade him, or non-tender him, making him a free agent.
Possible trades... now this is where things could get interesting. The talk around the web is of a possible Zack Greinke trade. He is locked up for the next two years at 13 million a year, which is a relative bargain for an ace. The Twins could be possible trade partners here. I would look for them to offer a package of Delmon Young, Kevin Slowey, and possibly Aaron Hicks or Kyle Gibson. I would do it if Hicks were not included. Hicks will be our starting right fielder starting in 2012 and many years after that. To lose him would not be worth it, unless Greinke pitched the Twins to a World Series title over the next two years, which I don't believe he could. I think Young will be back, and possibly traded next off season, so the Twins can set their new outfield of Revere (in left), Span (in center), and Hicks (in right).
The Twins are among the best organizations in baseball in getting value for their dollar. I expect them to lose almost all these free agents in the coming months, and yet still compete in the American League. They are also one of the best teams in the league in scouting and development, so an extra 3 or 4 first round draft picks could pay major dividends for years to come.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Are the Timber-Puppies turning into Timberwolves?
Don't look now but the Minnesota Timberwolves are sporting a 4-1 preseason record.
I hadn't planned on talking about the Wolves until the draft lottery after the season, but their recent success has spurned me to take notice. Is it possible David Kahn knows what he is doing? After Friday's 99-88 victory over the Detroit Pistons, the Minnesota Timberwolves now have the fifth best preseason record in all of the NBA. So what has led to this (alleged) turnaround?
To answer this we need to look at the moves David Kahn has made in the last few months. Gone are the underwhelming talent of the likes of Brian Cardinal, Ryan Hollins, Nathan Jawai, Sasha Pavlovic, Alando Tucker, and Damian Wilkens. Also traded were the Black hole on offense, magician (see disappearing act) (Big?) Al Jefferson, and the not so suited for the triangle Ramon Sessions. Into the mix are the much more athletic, and dynamic wings of Martell Webster and the recently drafted Wesley Johnson. At the point is now a veteran presence with Luke Ridnour. And to bolster the front court, which was already improved with the late season acquisition of (Don't laugh) Darko Milicic, is the European beast know as Nikola Pekovic. Also brought in as a back up to K Love is the underrated Anthony Toliver. Not to mention the steal of the year in Michael Beasley.
So how do all these new pieces fit together? Well if you ask the mainstream media, they don't fit, and David Kahn is a moron, only out-dumbed by the likes of the blonde cheerleader on Glee, and possibly an avocado. But when you really look at the re-worked roster, what seems to be taking shape is an actual team, and it seems quite obvious what Kahn has been doing. So lets take a look at the projected lineups.
PG- Ridnour, Telfair (Flynn when he returns, assuming he doesn't get traded)
SG- Webster, Brewer
SF- Beasley, Johnson
PF- Love, Toliver
C- Milicic, Pekovic
So what does this roster have that the 15 win, 2009-2010 team didn't. At first glance, depth is the most obvious advantage from this squad compared to last years version. When you can bring the 4th overall pick off the bench and team him with a former number 7 overall pick on the second squad, you're probably doing pretty well. Second thing I look at is size and athleticism. Beasley, Johnson, Pekovic, and Webster are all vast upgrades in this department. Third thing I look at is 3 point range. Webster, Beasley, and Johnson can all drop it from three point range like Favre can drop his pants for a photo shoot. The team is shooting nearly 41% from behind the arc this preseason. This can be attributed to the great shooting, and great passing of Love and Milicic. Lastly I look at defensive ability and intensity. This is where the greatest improvement has been. Webster has been average, which is a huge upgrade over what we could offer up last year. Johnson and Brewer have the ability to shut down a large percent of NBA wing players. Beasley, when motivated, can be serviceable. And Kevin Love next to Milicic makes alot more sense on the defensive end, then at any time when Love and Jefferson played together.
So when I look at what Khan has been able to put together, I can't help but be optimistic. He obviously is building the Wolves on athletic players, who can defend, and shoot the three. Almost as if he thinks a great passing point guard might be able to maximize those skills in other players..... hmmmm.... Ricky Rubio ::cough cough:: Ricky Rubio. Excuse me, had something in my throat there.
So what do I expect from the 2010-2011 version of the Minnesota Timberwolves? Not much. The West is still the West, and it would be a huge accomplishment to make the playoffs. But would I be surprised to see this team win 30-35 games? No, I would not. I think this is finally the year that the Wolves could make some strides towards respectability, and in maybe two or three more years, challenge in the West.
See also Are Wolves For Real? How About Those Timberwolves?
Is David Kahn An Evil Genius??
To answer this we need to look at the moves David Kahn has made in the last few months. Gone are the underwhelming talent of the likes of Brian Cardinal, Ryan Hollins, Nathan Jawai, Sasha Pavlovic, Alando Tucker, and Damian Wilkens. Also traded were the Black hole on offense, magician (see disappearing act) (Big?) Al Jefferson, and the not so suited for the triangle Ramon Sessions. Into the mix are the much more athletic, and dynamic wings of Martell Webster and the recently drafted Wesley Johnson. At the point is now a veteran presence with Luke Ridnour. And to bolster the front court, which was already improved with the late season acquisition of (Don't laugh) Darko Milicic, is the European beast know as Nikola Pekovic. Also brought in as a back up to K Love is the underrated Anthony Toliver. Not to mention the steal of the year in Michael Beasley.
So how do all these new pieces fit together? Well if you ask the mainstream media, they don't fit, and David Kahn is a moron, only out-dumbed by the likes of the blonde cheerleader on Glee, and possibly an avocado. But when you really look at the re-worked roster, what seems to be taking shape is an actual team, and it seems quite obvious what Kahn has been doing. So lets take a look at the projected lineups.
PG- Ridnour, Telfair (Flynn when he returns, assuming he doesn't get traded)
SG- Webster, Brewer
SF- Beasley, Johnson
PF- Love, Toliver
C- Milicic, Pekovic
So what does this roster have that the 15 win, 2009-2010 team didn't. At first glance, depth is the most obvious advantage from this squad compared to last years version. When you can bring the 4th overall pick off the bench and team him with a former number 7 overall pick on the second squad, you're probably doing pretty well. Second thing I look at is size and athleticism. Beasley, Johnson, Pekovic, and Webster are all vast upgrades in this department. Third thing I look at is 3 point range. Webster, Beasley, and Johnson can all drop it from three point range like Favre can drop his pants for a photo shoot. The team is shooting nearly 41% from behind the arc this preseason. This can be attributed to the great shooting, and great passing of Love and Milicic. Lastly I look at defensive ability and intensity. This is where the greatest improvement has been. Webster has been average, which is a huge upgrade over what we could offer up last year. Johnson and Brewer have the ability to shut down a large percent of NBA wing players. Beasley, when motivated, can be serviceable. And Kevin Love next to Milicic makes alot more sense on the defensive end, then at any time when Love and Jefferson played together.
New Wolves Front Court Could Lead to W's in 2010-2011
So when I look at what Khan has been able to put together, I can't help but be optimistic. He obviously is building the Wolves on athletic players, who can defend, and shoot the three. Almost as if he thinks a great passing point guard might be able to maximize those skills in other players..... hmmmm.... Ricky Rubio ::cough cough:: Ricky Rubio. Excuse me, had something in my throat there.
So what do I expect from the 2010-2011 version of the Minnesota Timberwolves? Not much. The West is still the West, and it would be a huge accomplishment to make the playoffs. But would I be surprised to see this team win 30-35 games? No, I would not. I think this is finally the year that the Wolves could make some strides towards respectability, and in maybe two or three more years, challenge in the West.
See also Are Wolves For Real? How About Those Timberwolves?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
After the boys of summer are gone...
Here lie your 2010 Minnesota Twins. April 5th 2010- October 9th 2010.
In a game that seemed inevitable, the Twins once again were swept out of the playoffs by the New York Yankees. This is the 12th straight playoff loss for a Franchise which used to flourish come October. The second longest such streak in history. Behind only the Boston Red Sox from 1980-1995 which lost 14 straight. I myself was at Target Field for both home games in the playoffs (and every playoff game since 2004). The atmosphere was great, and the crowd was optimistic for our chances against Derek Jeter and the hated Yanks. This was supposed to be our year. We were no longer the "little" Twinks who beat you with small ball and luck. We were a team sporting a new stadium, two MVP's in the lineup, and a former all-star batting 9th. We had three, count em 3 closers in our bullpen with over 20 saves on the year. We had Jim Thome who hits baseballs farther then Happy Gilmore could hit a drive. We were primed for the postseason...
That's until we got a look at those sexy pinstripes. As Christopher Walken so neatly put it in Catch Me if you Can. "Do you know why the Yankees always win the World Series? It's because the other team can't stop looking at the pinstripes." And I think that's what is happening here. The Twins were the best team in baseball since June turned over to July. Mauer had hit .379, Thome was putting dents in the flag pole in right field, and the Pavstache was making girls drool all over the country. The Twins ran away from the White Sox and clinched the division earlier then any other team in baseball. And none of it made a difference once the Yankees showed up to Target Field last Wednesday.
Game One was the pivotal game here. Liriano was pitching great through five innings and had a 3-0 lead (thank you Michael Cuddyer). Then the wheels fell off. After giving up two runs already in the sixth, there were two men on for Curtis Granderson. Gardy decided to let Liriano pitch to Granderson. A triple later and the score was 4-3. I don't blame Gardy to leave Liriano in at this point. Granderson was atrocious against lefties all season (To the tune of .234 on the season). Mijares could have come in and gotten him out, but I'm siding with Gardy on this one. Liriano is your best pitcher and best bet to get granderson. The game was lost in the next half inning however. The Twins loaded the bases and actually scored a run with a bases loaded walk. The next batter was retired and the Twins left 3 men on base (a recurring theme in the 3 games). Of course Crain comes in and leaves a hanging slider to Tex and the game is 6-4. Once number 42 came trotting out the pen for the Yanks. Game Over.
Game two was a must win for the Twins. I wont spend much time on this because it is a week ago already. Pettitte was great. Berkman was great. Twins once again had no clutch hitting. And shockingly they lose 5-2. Ho hum. Better luck next year. Twins were not going to waltz into Yankee field and win two games, then come home and win game five. And they didn't. After a 6-1 loss to Phil Hughes, the season, which had such high hopes, was over.
Over the next week or so, I will go over what I think the twins should do with their impending free agents, and who they might be able to acquire in free agency, or through trades. This will be an interesting off-season, and the 2011 team will look quite different then the inaugural Target Field team.
Welcome
This is my first attempt at blogging. I plan on using this blog to vent about my favorite teams in the "Big Four" sports in the state of Minnesota. I was drawn to do this due to having no outlet after 12 straight playoff loses from my beloved Minnesota Twins. I will cover the Timberwolves, Twins, Wild, and the Green Bay Packers. Very little on the Minnesota Vikings due to not being a fan. Most of my post will pertain to the Twins, unless some serious news comes down for the other teams.
A little about myself.... I live in Northern Minnesota and have been a lifelong Twins fan. My obsession with this team all began with Kirby Puckett. (Like many). I was six years old in 1991 when the Twins won the (according to ESPN) "greatest World Series ever played." I have been a Packer fan almost as long... the story of my cord cutting with the Vikings will come later, I'm sure. The Timberwolves, while being awful, continue to be a point of interest for me... for reasons which I can't really understand myself. As for the Wild... I loved hockey growing up, and the North Stars exodus to Dallas hurt. The Wild were supposed to remedy this. However, after a decade of irrelevance, I can say my interest in the NHL is minimal at best.
So Welcome! I hope this is the first post of many. I would love feedback and I hope you enjoy my views and ideas. If you disagree, let me know. If you agree... what's wrong with you!? If I've ever learned anything from dating, it's that I am always wrong.
So Here. We. Go!
A little about myself.... I live in Northern Minnesota and have been a lifelong Twins fan. My obsession with this team all began with Kirby Puckett. (Like many). I was six years old in 1991 when the Twins won the (according to ESPN) "greatest World Series ever played." I have been a Packer fan almost as long... the story of my cord cutting with the Vikings will come later, I'm sure. The Timberwolves, while being awful, continue to be a point of interest for me... for reasons which I can't really understand myself. As for the Wild... I loved hockey growing up, and the North Stars exodus to Dallas hurt. The Wild were supposed to remedy this. However, after a decade of irrelevance, I can say my interest in the NHL is minimal at best.
So Welcome! I hope this is the first post of many. I would love feedback and I hope you enjoy my views and ideas. If you disagree, let me know. If you agree... what's wrong with you!? If I've ever learned anything from dating, it's that I am always wrong.
So Here. We. Go!
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