Are They Still Around?
Twins Video
One of my favorite spring training activities is looking to see how former Twins are faring with their new team. Box scores of spring games, especially those of teams you would not normally follow, tend to be pretty boring—lots zeros and ones. So, for me, I like to keep tabs on some “old friends”. In most cases, I really enjoy seeing former Twins players doing well, so I silently cheer them on as I watch for their name in the box scores. I suppose you could go the other way and say to yourself: “Ah, now that he doesn’t play for the Twins, I sure hope he tanks.” But I think the latter approach lends itself to more frustration than enjoyment.
So, while looking at spring box scores—and later—while reading the cuts and minor league assignments, look for the names below. I have listed all players that have been in the Minnesota Twins organization who are now in camp with other teams. For extra fun, I have listed former Twins who are now coaches on other teams. And, look, while I tried to be thorough, I’m sure I missed someone! Feel free to leave a comment if you find a Twin that I missed or if you just want to reminisce about one of these players. For example, “How can Livan Hernandez and Ramon Ortiz still be around?!?”
I was surprised to see Cristian Guzman out of baseball last year; apparently he had some family issues to deal with early on and never caught on with a team later in the season. He will turn 34 this year, but when healthy, is still a really nice player. Currently, he is in camp with Cleveland.
And you've got to be happy for LaTroy Hawkins who will be pitching for the Angels in his 18th year in the league. For all his early struggles with the Twins, he has put together a nice career. He’s really done it all—starter, closer, middle reliever, and set-up man. He pitched in the World Series for the Rockies in 2007.
Here are the ones who are still around, by team:
Baltimore Orioles
Roster: Luis Ayala – P, J.J. Hardy – IF
Non-Roster: Willie Eyre – P, Pat Neshek – P, Dennys Reyes – P, Steve Tolleson – OF
Boston Red Sox
Roster: Nick Punto – IF, Darnell McDonald – OF, David Ortiz – DH
Non-Roster: Carlos Silva – P, Jason Repko – OF
Coaches: Alex Ochoa
New York Yankees : NONE
Tampa Bay Rays : NONE
Toronto Blue Jays
Non-Roster: Jim Hoey – P
Chicago White Sox
Roster: Jesse Crain – P, Philip Humber – P, A.J. Pierzynski – C
Coaches: Mark Salas
Cleveland Indians
Roster: Kevin Slowey – P
Non-Roster: Cristian Guzman – IF
Detroit Tigers
Roster: Delmon Young – OF
Kansas City Royals
Roster: Jose Mijares – P
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Roster: LaTroy Hawkins – P, Torii Hunter – OF
Non-Roster: Loek van Mil – P
Coaches: Mickey Hatcher
Oakland Athletics
Roster: Grant Balfour – P, Brian Fuentes – P
Non-Roster: Jason Pridie – OF
Coaches: Chili Davis, Chip Hale
Seattle Mariners
Non-Roster: Sean Henn – P, Luis Rodriguez – IF
Coaches: Carl Willis
Texas Rangers
Roster: Mark Hamburger – P, Joe Nathan – P
Non-Roster: Joe Beimel – P
Coaches: Ron Washington
Atlanta Braves
Non-Roster: Dusty Hughes – P
Miami Marlins
Non-Roster: Rob Delaney – P, Terry Tiffee – IF
Coaches: Randy St. Claire
New York Mets
Roster: R.A. Dickey – P, Jon Rauch – P, Johan Santana – P
Non-Roster: Chuck James – P
Coaches: Tim Teufel
Philadelphia Phillies
Roster: Jim Thome – IF
Coaches: Pete Mackanin
Washington Nationals
Roster: Wilson Ramos – C
Chicago Cubs
Roster: Matt Garza – P
Non-Roster: Matt Tolbert – IF
Cincinnati Reds
Non-Roster: Ron Mahay – P, Corky Miller – C
Houston Astros
Non-Roster: Livan Hernandez – P
Milwaukee Brewers
Roster: Carlos Gomez – OF
Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster: Garrett Jones – OF
Non-Roster: Jose Morales – C
St. Louis Cardinals
Roster: Kyle Lohse – P, J.C. Romero – P
Arizona Diamondbacks
Roster: Craig Breslow – P, Henry Blanco – C, Jason Kubel – OF
Coaches: Don Baylor
Colorado Rockies
Roster: Casey Blake – IF, Michael Cuddyer – OF
Non-Roster: Brendan Harris – IF
Los Angeles Dodgers
Roster: Matt Guerrier – P, Trent Oeltjen – OF
San Diego Padres
Roster: Jason Bartlett – IF, Orlando Hudson – IF
San Francisco Giants
Non-Roster: Ramon Ortiz – P
Coaches: Roberto Kelly


3 Comments
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now