Thread: Article: Where are they now: Former Twins in big league camps

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=...g-league-camps

This is a really cool trip down memory lane. I always liked Luis Rodriguez for some reason. The Phillies acquired one of the best humans to play for the Twins and one of the worst. Not bad.

Great post Seth! Possible additions are JR Towles (SL) and Kyle Waldrop (Pit).

This is fun stuff.
Garrett Jones had a very good year for Pittsburgh last year. I'm sure they appreciated the 27 home runs he hit for them.
Mijares had the highest K/9 of his MLB career.
Ramos isn't tearing it up, but he seems to have figured out to hit an occasional curveball.

Boof lives!!!!

Another reason to respect the Rays' approach to the game...

I saw Luke Hughes on MLB network playing in an Australian league playoff game the other week. Too bad he hasn't caught on with another team. Perhaps if he has a good showing at the WBC.

Matt Tolbert's with the Phillies I believe as well.

Originally Posted by Twins Fan

Great post Seth! Possible additions are JR Towles (SL) and Kyle Waldrop (Pit).

Added these two... I had Waldrop in my notes. Not sure why I didn't type it! Missed Towles... thank you!

Originally Posted by nicksaviking

I saw Luke Hughes on MLB network playing in an Australian league playoff game the other week. Too bad he hasn't caught on with another team. Perhaps if he has a good showing at the WBC.

Matt Tolbert's with the Phillies I believe as well.

Yup, Hopefully Luke gets another shot soon.

And, Tolbert didn't get a spring training invite, but good note.

begs the question- who wins more games, the actual 2013 Twins or a rotation of Dickey, Garza, Santana, Baker, Liriano, bullpen of Nathan, Capps, Breslow, Mijares, Balfour, Guerrier, Crain and Cuddy, Casilla, Hardy, Valencia, Ramos, Hunter, Revere, Span, Gomez, Ortiz, and benchies Punto, Young, AJ?

Get the salary of those guys and add it up.

Originally Posted by twinsfanstl

begs the question- who wins more games, the actual 2013 Twins or a rotation of Dickey, Garza, Santana, Baker, Liriano, bullpen of Nathan, Capps, Breslow, Mijares, Balfour, Guerrier, Crain and Cuddy, Casilla, Hardy, Valencia, Ramos, Hunter, Revere, Span, Gomez, Ortiz, and benchies Punto, Young, AJ?

And not just add up their contracts, but add a 10-25% more because if the Twins would have kept them, they would likely be making significantly more than they are now.

Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

And not just add up their contracts, but add a 10-25% more because if the Twins would have kept them, they would likely be making significantly more than they are now.

Yeah, wasn't really interested in Twins spending habits, having been a fan since the early 80's I know the drill and don't often disagree with their philosophy. I just think your list is interesting and when you cherry pick those who (barring injury) will play a great deal elsewhere and compare to our actual projected roster it is telling. We ponied up plenty to try to retain Santana and Hunter. We gave up on Dickey way too soon, let Garza slip in what has to be viewed as a terrible trade. Got Hardy then traded him for Hoey. Gave up on Mijares, Balfour. Mis-played resigning Baker. These were not insignificant blunders. What is the other side of the coin? What flipside do we tout? Got lucky with Burton? ok. what else? In the last 4 years, what have the Twins done in the free agent market or via trade that has made significant impact on the teams they have actually fielded towards winning?

Not invites, but amongst others we see Steve Tolleson with the White Sox, Ray Chang with the Red, Rene Tosoni with the Brewers, Jeremy Reed with the Diamondbacks, Jair Fernandez should get an shot with Houston. Once the season starts, I'll do a rundown somewhere of former Twins everywhere! Minnesota Twins Baseball Cards, Autographs, Publications, Memorabilia, Players, Stats, History, Collectibles

Originally Posted by twinsfanstl

Yeah, wasn't really interested in Twins spending habits, having been a fan since the early 80's I know the drill and don't often disagree with their philosophy. I just think your list is interesting and when you cherry pick those who (barring injury) will play a great deal elsewhere and compare to our actual projected roster it is telling. We ponied up plenty to try to retain Santana and Hunter. We gave up on Dickey way too soon, let Garza slip in what has to be viewed as a terrible trade. Got Hardy then traded him for Hoey. Gave up on Mijares, Balfour. Mis-played resigning Baker. These were not insignificant blunders. What is the other side of the coin? What flipside do we tout? Got lucky with Burton? ok. what else? In the last 4 years, what have the Twins done in the free agent market or via trade that has made significant impact on the teams they have actually fielded towards winning?

Santana and Hunter signed extensions with the Twins to keep them around, and the Twins offered both of them fair deals when they left. I don't think anyone is terribly upset with how the Twins played the Baker situation. Balfour was coming off of missing basically three years with arm injuries. Dickey... well, everyone gave up on him too soon because everyone would have let him go after that year. But yeah, every team has guys they wish they would have kept, guys they wish they would not have signed, and good minor league signings and bad regular free agent signings.

Originally Posted by nicksaviking

I saw Luke Hughes on MLB network playing in an Australian league playoff game the other week. Too bad he hasn't caught on with another team. Perhaps if he has a good showing at the WBC.

Matt Tolbert's with the Phillies I believe as well.

I was watching that same game with Luke Hughes and was wondering why the Twins don't give him a call. I know he had a lot of holes in his game, but I thought he was better than what they have now.

> Arizona Diamondbacks – How about this… Michael Tonkin’s brother-in-law is on the D-Backs 40 man roster.

Seems like every game I'm seeing on mlbnetwork has former Twins. Some of those teams almost seem more recognizable than the 2013 Twins (at least until we see them on TV a few times).

Isn't Jason Kubel still with Arizona?

Originally Posted by Dakota Dan

Isn't Jason Kubel still with Arizona?

Yes, he is... that was referenced in the article.