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While Joe Mauer was supposedly set to sign a ten-year deal with the Twins according to WCCO, it appears the announcement was premature. There were, however, some other moves that were on a much smaller scale.

Melvin Mora inked a deal with the Colorado Rockies. He will serve as a utility player as he can play virtually every position. He will turn 38 on Sunday, and his fantasy value has probably dried up, as evidenced by his .260, 44 R, 8 HR, 48 RBI 2009 numbers. 

Kevin Millar, who’s also 38, will try his luck with the Cubs. Millar managed to hit just .223 with 7 HRs and 29 RBIs for the Blue Jays last year. He too has little to no fantasy value, and little may have skipped town.

The Reds bolstered their infielde by signing free agent SS Orlando Cabrera and trading for Aaron Miles. Cabrera will start for the Reds and likely hit in the two-hole. He had a solid year split between the A’s and the Twins hitting .284 with 83 runs, 9 HRs, and 77 RBIs. He has a good chance of replicating those numbers in Cincinnati. Miles will serve as a backup infielder and has little fantasy value.

Ryan Garko signed with Seattle. He’ll be used primarily as a bat off the bench to face lefties. He could also play some first, DH, and even have spot duty at catcher. He too has little fantasy value.

The Twins have done it again. Once upon a time they were able to keep Kirby Puckett from entertaining thoughts of playing for a big market team. They struck gold again by keeping their hometown hero Joe Mauer for a decade (click to see WCCO’s article).

The terms were not released, but it can be assumed that it’s a hefty sum, but significantly lower than an offer he could have got from the Red Sox or Yankees had he tested the free agent market.

This is a great day for Twins fans. It remains to be seen if they can put enough talent around him to challenge for a title. However, the Twins can breathe a sigh of relief that they are opening their new stadium with their most important building block in place.

***It appears WCCO was premature in announcing the news. I imagine a deal is in the works though***

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1. Can Carlos Quentin and Alex Rios bounce back?
Quentin has missed significant time the past two years because of injuries. Juan Pierre was brought on board to help set the table. His foot has healed and as long as he can avoid the injury bug, he should be a high-end OF again.

Rios was having a disappointing season even before he was dealt to the White Sox. He hit a brutal .199 for his new club with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs in 146 ABs. The bad news for Rios is he’ll be playing his home games outside. His AB/HR in outdoor parks is 43.5 compared to 29.9. Minnesota no longer has a dome, which would also work against him. His average and OPS have been on the decline the past four seasons.

2. How about Jake Peavy?
Peavy likely won’t be as dominant this year as in year’s past. He has to face a steady dose of American League hitters without the comfort of PETCO Park. Working in his favor though is the absence of the World Baseball Classic. I believe that threw off his April last year, which led to his bloated 5.74 ERA in April.

3. And Grady Sizemore?
He battled through an elbow injury and a hernia to still put up respectable numbers (73 runs, 18 HRs, 64 RBI, 13 SB in 436 ABs). Don’t let his numbers get you down on him though. Not many players can bring we he can to the table. Bump him down a few spots from where you had him ranked going into last year, but don’t let him slide too long.

4. What will the Indians do with Michael Brantley?
The Indians have a good problem having four quality OFers for three spots. Grady Sizemore, Matt LaPorta, and Shin-Soo Choo are blocking the path for Brantley, who hit .313 after replacing Sizemore last year. LaPorta can play some First Base, which would allow Brantley to play in LF. LaPorta is one of the Indians’ few right-handed hitters though so don’t expect him to be out of the lineup very frequently. Brantley can play all three OF positions, which will help his cause. The Indians could choose to send him to Triple-A so he can get steady playing time. In any case, take the wait-and-see approach with him.

5. Can Austin Jackson replace Curtis Granderson?
He certainly doesn’t have the power, but he has flashed his speed stealing 24 bases to go along with nine triples last year for Triple-A Scranton. He hit .300 as well. He’ll be challenged by Clete Thomas and Ryan Rayburn. Watch that battle during Spring Training.

6. Will Zack Greinke get some help?
Gil Meche should be better for starters assuming his back and arm are healed. His ERA surged above 5.00 after being below 4.00 in his previous two years with the Royals. Luke Hochevar has a world of talent, and the former #1 pick should be better. He can’t get much worse. I’d hold off on drafting him unless he shows some promise during Spring Training.

7. What will the Twins’ new ballpark bring?
All you have to do is look at the two New York ballparks, and you know they can be unpredictable. The Yankees play in a launching pad while the Mets saw a power outage. The Twins won’t get as may infield hits as they move to grass. See where Justin Morneau ranks among fantasy First Basemen.

8. Will J.J. Hardy rebound?
Hardy was terrible last year, but a change of scenery could do him wonders. He goes to a club that is starving for solid Shortstop play after they dealt away Jason Bartlett a couple years back. Hardy averaged 83.5 runs, 25 HRs, and 77 RBIs in 2007 & 2008. In a lineup that features Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span, Jason Kubel, and Denard Span, a resurgence is very likely.

9. What will the Twins do at Third Base?
This is an annual issue. Nick Punto plays a great Third Base, but can’t hit. Brendan Harris had his moments. Joe Crede returning isn’t out of the question. No matter what their “solution” is, it’s not a fantasy friendly one. Look elsewhere.

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The Twins cleared up a logjam in the Outfield by moving Carlos “Go Go” Gomez to Milwaukee for Shortstop J.J. Hardy.

I think it’s a great deal for the Twins. They have too many Outfielders with Denard Span, Delmon Young, Michael Cuddyer, and DH Jason Kubel. As for the Twins they got some pop at Shortstop, which they haven’t had in years.

Hardy had a down year, but is a goo candidate to bounce back. If Alexi Casilla can bounce back as well, and they solve their 3rd base issue, the Twins could have one of the better infields in the league with the M & M boys.

Gomez gets a much needed change of scenery. He strikes out too frequently and has mental lapses. Those are two no-nos in Ron Gardenhire’s book. In Milwaukee he won’t have to carry the pressure of being the key component in the Johan Santana trade with him.

Frankly, I thought they rushed him into the lineup in his first year with the Twins because they had to have someone from the Johan deal on the Opening Day roster.

Span outplayed him that spring, and should have got the nod. The Twins had to save face though. I think that stunted his growth and messed with his confidence.

He did better last year when Orlando Cabrera took him under his wing. He’ll need someone to do the same in his new home. He has the tools to be a quality leadoff hitter. It’s just a matter of whether or not he can make the proper adjustments and continue to grow.

Click here for the Rotoprofessor’s take on the trade.

My 8-year old nephew Justin has really taken an interest in sports the past couple months.  For his birthday party he had a sports theme.  First we split up into teams and played basketball. One team was the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.  We also went to a baseball field and played a game of kickball.  It was a lot of fun. 

As Justin has become increasingly interested in sports he asked if he could post comments on my site.  In an effort to foster his interest in sports as well as his writing ability, I said not only could he leave comments, but he could write an occasional article.  This is his first effort. 

All-Star Game Observations
By Justin Lester

The American League won the 2009 All-Star Game 4-3 thanks to Carl Crawford, who was named MVP of the game.  Crawford plays for the Tanpa Bay Rays as an Outfielder.  He made a great catch to take a Home Run away from Brad Hawpe.

There were three Minnesota Twins on the American League team.  Joe Nathan pitched in the the 8th inning, Joe Mauer got one trip around the bases, and  Justin Morneau played First base in the 8th and 9th Innings.

If you’re a sports nut like me you factor that aspect in when selecting a place to take a vacation.  When you are planning your Summer vacation, I ask that you consider Minnesota.  Unless you are an avid ice fisher or snowmobile, I recommend staying away from Minnesota in the Winter, but it is a beautiful place in the other three seasons.

It should come as no surprise that the land that gave birth to water skiing would know how to turn water into a playground. Sailing. Wakeboarding. Windsurfing. Jet skiing. Boating. Scuba Diving.  Minnesota is also host to the world’s largest tub of fresh water—Lake Superior—a great location for adventure kayaking. And don’t forget world-class canoeing in the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Our almost 12,000 lakes hold some of the finest game fish to ever wear scales: large and smallmouth bass, trout, pike, muskies, and of course, Minnesota’s state fish – the mighty walleye.  Plus, Minnesota has about 10 million acres of public land open to hunting–that’s about one-fifth of the state’s area. There’s great hunting for deer, waterfowl, grouse, pheasant, and all manner of large and small game. 

Minnesota has become an established travel destination for the golf aficionado. After all, it is home to more national USGA events than any other state. Here you’ll find the perfect blend of technical challenges and breathtaking beauty. From the open links of the prairie to the woodsy parkland courses with their rolling fairways and water hazards. And with 90% of Minnesota’s 498 golf courses open to the public, a dream round is just a trip away.

Minnesota’s natural scenery is thrilling all on its own. But it’s even more breathtaking when it’s amplified by high adrenaline and adventure. Whether you like to commune with nature by thundering through the woods on a mountain bike or by way of kayak, your inner adventurer will love Minnesota’s wild side.

If you prefer more traditional sports like baseball, it’s your last chance to see the Minnesota Twins in the Metrodome.  I prefer baseball outdoors, but if you’ve never watched a game in a dome, it does have some intrigue, especially when the Twins are playing well.  The loudest gave I have ever been to in any sport was a Twins-Red Sox game in the dome around the time of their 1991 World Series title.  They have two of the best players in the game in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

What are you waiting for?  Explore Minnesota.

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He’s back.  Pun Intended.  Joe Mauer is set to make his triumphant return against the Kansas City Royals.  The two-time Batting Champ will not only bolster the Twins sagging Offense (10th in the AL in average, 12th in Runs) with his bat, but also a struggling pitching staff (10th in ERA) with his ability to call a game.  It will be harder to steal bases on the Twins, who currently rank 9th in Caught Stealing Percentage.

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The Minnesota Twins placed their Ace Scott Baker on the 15-Day DL retroactive to March 28th because of shoulder stiffness.  He stuggled this Spring with a 1-2 record and a 6.84 ERA.  He gave up 18 Runs and 9 HRs in 23-2/3 Innings.

Baker was scheduled to start on Opening Day for the Twins, but will be replaced by Francisco Liriano.  Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will likely make a spot start on Friday, April 10th against the White Sox.  He would go on the 15th against Toronto if Baker wasn’t ready on the 12th when he’s eligible to come off the DL.  The Twins are off on the 20th so Dickey could be skipped in the rotation if the injury lingers longer.

Baker was 11-4 last year with a 3.45 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and .247 BAA.

Face of the Franchise

Kirby Puckett
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI
 
I continue the All-time tour with the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins.
 
Since we’re dealing with over a century and thousands of players I will assume the DH role for both leagues.  I will limit the teams to 25 players.  I’ll carry 13 batters and 12 pitchers for each team.  With baseball season around the corner, what better time to take this journey.  The teams are based on the stats the players produced with the team so Joe Mauer, for example, isn’t there yet for the Twins.  I may tinker with the lineups slightly to get the best roster possible.
 
Manager: Tom Kelly

C – Earl Battey
1B – Kent Hrbek
2B – Rod Carew
3B – Gary Gaetti
SS – Cecil Travis
LF -  Sam Rice
RF – Tony Oliva
CF – Kirby Puckett
DH – Harmon Killebrew
Bench Players:  1B Joe Judge, 1B Mickey Vernon, 2B Buddy Myer, OF Goose Goslin
 
SP – Walter Johnson
SP – Jim Kaat
SP – Bert Blyleven
SP – Frank Viola
SP – Johan Santana
P – Camilo Pascual 
P – Brad Radke 
P – Jim Perry
P – Dutch Leonard
P – Firpo Marberry
RP – Rick Aguilera
RP – Joe Nathan

What do you think about the team? Did I leave someone off? Please leave your comments.

Past Teams
Yankees
Red Sox
Rays
Orioles
Blue Jays

A year after losing Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Matt Garza, and Jason Bartlett, the Twins were extremely quiet this offseason. Too quiet according to the majority of Twins fans.  They are coming off a succesful season, and if Francisco Liriano can continue his recovery, they could challenge for the AL Central title once again.

Infield
Very little changed here.  Their infield is still anchored by MVP Justin Morneau and two-time Batting Champ Joe Mauer.  Morneau drove in 129 runs last year, but faded a bit down the stretch.  He only had five HRs in August and September to prevent him from recording his third straight 30+ HR season.  Mauer hit .328 last year with a career high 85 RBIs.  He had offseason kidney surgery, but he should be fine once Spring Training rolls along.  The Twins found their Second Baseman last year in Alexi Casilla.  He hit .281 with 58 runs and 50 RBI in 98 games.  He is a great #2 hitter that benefits from hitting in front of Mauer.  He should be in line for an even bigger year, and could easily be the best fantasy value on the Twins.  At Shortstop the Twins are sacrificing Offense for Nick Punto’s incredible glove.  Many Twins fans were hoping they would do something at SS because Punto is better served as a utility player filling in at 2B, SS, and 3B.  The last time he was handed a starting role he struggled big time at the plate.  Another area that wasn’t addressed in the offseason was Third Base.  Brian Buscher is coming off a decent season (.294, 47 RBI), but Twins fans were looking to add a HR threat.  Brendan Harris will get some work at SS and 3B.  If the Twins are successful, this is the position that is most likely to be upgraded in a deadline deal. 

Outfield
The Twins have four quality Outfielders for three positions, which is a good problem to have.  Denard Span was one of the biggest surprises for the Twins last year and is their top fantasy prospect Outfielder.  He hit .294 with 70 runs, 47 RBI, and 18 SB in 93 games.  He could easily reach 100 runs and 30 SBs in a full season.  He’s not the only Twins OF with speed though.  Carlos Gomez swiped 33 bases last year with 7 triples.  He struggled at the plate hitting .258 with a .296 On-base Percentage.  He was just 22 last year though, and with the experience he gained he could improve to a .270 average with 85 runs.  I expect him to steal at least 40 bases if he can stay healthy.  Delmon Young has the potential to be one of the Twins best hitters, but he could have a hard time finding at bats.  He hit .290 last year with 80 runs, 69 RBI, and 10 HRs.  Many were expecting loftier power numbers from Young, but that’s not the style of hitter he is at this stage of his career.  He drove in 93 the year before for Tampa, and the success of Garza and Bartlett for the Rays didn’t do him any favors.  Neither did his Defense.  He has the potential to hit .300 and drive in 100, but he’ll need to play regularly to do so.  The return of Michael Cuddyer could cost him those at bats.  He struggled last year at the plate (.249), but was very successful in 2006 & 2007 for the Twins.  He has an incredible arm in the field, which is one of the reasons Ron Gardenhire favors him over Delmon.  This could turn into a platoon situation, along with DH Jason Kubel, which hurts all three players values.  Kubel can play the OF, but is mainly used at DH.  He hit .278 with 20 HRs and 78 RBIs last year.  He is the Twins’ biggest power threat after Morneau, and I expect him to improve again this year.

Starting Pitching
This is the wildcard of the team.  They potential for this staff, but they are very young and inexperienced.  Francisco Liriano is the key to their success.  He was 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA after the All-Star break.  He was lights out in August going 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA.  He was 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA in September, which hopefully isn’t the Liriano they are getting in ‘09.  If he stays healthy he should win 15 games and have a sub-4.00 ERA.  The other key to their pitching staff is Scott Baker.  He went 11-4 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP last year.  He was equally impressive before and after the All-Star break, which is a good sign.  I expect 15+ wins from Baker as well with a sub-3.80 ERA.  The Twins also have Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, and Nick Blackburn. all of which won 11+ games last year.  Slowey was the best of that bunch going 12-11 with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.  Perkins was the most successful going 12-4, but his ERA was 4.41 and had a 1.47 WHIP.  Blackburn was 11-11 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.  Perkins or Blackburn would move to the bullpen if Philip Humber can win a spot in the rotation in the Spring.

Relief Pitching
The Twins bullpen is anchored by Joe Nathan, who is one of MLB’s best closers.  He saved 39 games last year and had a 1.33 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.  He should be the first Twins pitcher drafted.  Matt Guerrier had a great first half last year, but was overworked and was worn down.  Jesse Crain had a successful 2008 year recording a 3.59 ERA with 17 holds.  Jose Mijares sparkled in his debut with the Twins (0.87 ERA, 0.27 WHIP) so much that the Twins are comfortable letting Dennys Reyes go.  Craig Breslow was also successful recording a 1.63 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in 42 games.  As long as the Twins do a better job of keeping their bullpen from wearing down, Pitching Coach Rick Anderson should have one of the leagues best bullpens again.

Notes
The Twins could actually make some moves in the near future.  There is talk that they could add Eric Gagne and/or Joe Crede.

Projection
The Twins will dedicate their season to their longtime owner Carl Pohlad, who passed away earlier this month.  With their young pitching, speed on Offense, timely at bats, and one of the best Managers, I predict they will win the AL Central in Pohlad’s honor. 

Projected Record:  90-72.

This preview (or a portion of it) will also be featured in SportingNews blogger Bartolis‘ MLB Preview.