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Thrylos

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  1. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    Here is this week's installment:
     
     

    The biggest recent news from the Minnesota Twins (other than the product on the field) is that they outrighted Nick Blackburn and Tsuyoshi Nishioka off the 40-man roster to Rochester. What does this mean for these two players for 2013 is still unknown, but it will be interesting to see.
    Speaking of waivers.... One little detail because the rules are somewhat complicated: Blackburn and Nishoka did not get Designated For Assignment, they got outrighted. There are four types of waivers in baseball, all explained really well here (this is a must read and bookmark link) : Trade Waivers, Waivers for the purpose of granting a player his unconditional release (DFA), Outright Waivers and Option Waivers. The first kind is revocable and happen only in August, the other 3 are irrevocable. The difference between DFA and Ouright waivers is that if a veteran (Blackburn is that and Nishioka is not) refuses, in both cases he becomes a free agent, but in a DFA situation the team in on the hook for his contract while in Outright Waivers, if he refuses assignment he loses what is owed to him.
    You can find all the transactions by the Twins' Minor League affiliates last week here
    Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press is on a personal quest to find the scout who gave the thumbs up to the Twins to sign Tsuyoshi Nishioka. He also proposed some resolution, but leaves out door number three, which is exactly what the Twins are doing right now: Having discussions with Japanese teams to assume his contract.
    This is a great interview of Liam Hendriks by Minor League Ball's John Sickels. Hendriks admits that he has changed his delivery mechanics "several times this season", talks about his pitches and ponders why he has been so effective in AAA and not quite so much in the Majors, yet.
    Miguel Sano was the first draft pick in the Dominican Winter Leagues. He will play for his hometown Esrellas Orientales.
    The wife of a Twins' player wrote a guest blog here and she keeps her own full time blog here.
    Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah was defeated in a primary vote (link to a Dave St. Peter tweet). Not certain what that means for the future of the Twins there, since the county approved improvements in the Twins' Spring Training facilities and Hammond Stadium, which made the Twins renew their lease for 30 more years. Not sure whether papers were signed (I suspect so) but this is an intereasting story line to follow...
    And apparently this article in the Fort Myers paper, indicates that indeed there might be issues because the winner in the primary is lobbying against baseball spending and breaking the lease
    Picture day for the Twins a week ago and a Matt Capps sighting. Top row to the left number 55. He looks like he gained a few because of the inactivity.
    Speaking of rehabing (or not) Twins' pitchers on the DL,Carl Pavano's fastball is sitting at mid 80s, which is not very good for the Twins' prospects to get something for him this August or for his prospects to continue playing baseball next season
    Here is an interesting article about the Twins' A level affiliate Beloit Snappers' pitching coach Gary Lukas.
    Meanwhile, Beloit is the worse Twins' affiliate as far as attendance goes
    Another killer article by Tyler Mason on food and major league vs the minors.
    Here is an interesting article that, among other things, lists what the Twins did when they moved from an air-conditioned environment to Target Field to battle hot and humid days
    With the Twins looking more and more likely to get another high pick in the 2013 MLB draft, apparently, according to Baseball America the draft is pretty deep in high school Left Hand Pitchers, which is always desirable.
    One particular Twins' outfielder would not only be happy to move to the infield, it is where he played mostly before he became a pro. Also he was exclusively an infielder his first professional season.
    It seems that the Twins are looking for help at high places
    This is great work looking at Twins contracts, projected payrolls, Options of minor league players, rule 5 draft exposure and related topics.
    Looks like Ron Gardenhire found his next shortstop
    If you wonder what some major leaguers do during rain delays, check this out.
    And a certain Twins' player has been claiming falsely that he was his High School's mascot. And, no, it was not Drew Butera who was a professional clown for a while.
    Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Therma Base Hoodiehttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B007V9B8CC. Because Winter Is Cominghttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B007HJ84ZK

     
    The parting shot today brings us to happier times in the Twins' land. Spring training. Last week of March. The team is ready to get up North hopeful for a new season with the slate wiped clean. Tabula Rasa. Rick Anderson is pitching batting practice to a group of Twins' infielders and catchers not in that days' lineup and he is using what it looks like a four-seamer, and not his signature two-seamer, grip. Happy days. This has been a long season. Spring training 2013 is (almost) around the corner. Hope Springs Eternal. Just about 190 days left until Spring Training 2013. Go Twins!
     
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7797669428_5885b91f9f_c.jpg
  2. Thrylos
    Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    This is the third instalment of this series. You can find the older ones here (most recent on top.) Promotions and demotions are listed under the team where the player currently plays (this means promotions to the Minnesota Twins will not be listed here)
     
    Here are the transactions in all levels in the Twins organization from August 11th until yesterday August 17th:
     
    Rochester Redwings (International League, AAA):
     
     
    8/16 - Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Jeff Manship to Rochester Red Wings.
    8/16 - Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Louis Perdomo to Rochester Red Wings.
    8/15 - Rochester Red Wings activated 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
    8/15 - Minnesota Twins optioned SS Brian Dozier to Rochester Red Wings.
    8/14 - Rochester Red Wings activated SS Michael Hollimon from the 7-Day disabled list.
    8/13 - 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka optioned to Rochester Red Wings.
    8/11 - 3B Trevor Plouffe assigned to Rochester Red Wings(rehab).
     
    New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League, AA):
     
    8/17 - OF Rene Tosoni was outrighted to New Britain Rock Cats (removed from the 40 man roster)
    8/16 - New Britain Rock Cats activated LHP Andrew Albers from the 7-Day disabled list.
    8/16 - RHP Dave Bromberg assigned to New Britain Rock Cats from Rochester Red Wings
    8/14 - RHP Luke French assigned to New Britain Rock Cats from Rochester Red Wings
     
    Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League, A+):
     
    8/16 - RHP Carl Pavano assigned to Fort Myers Miracle (rehab).
    8/13 - RHP Kyle Gibson assigned to Fort Myers Miracle from Rochester Red Wings (this might mean that he was officially off the Rochester DL).
    8/12 - Fort Myers Miracle placed LHP Pat Dean on the 7-Day disabled list
    8/12 - RHP Kyle Gibson assigned to Fort Myers Miracle (rehab) from GCL Twins.
     
    Beloit Snappers (Midwest League, A):
     
    8/12 - Beloit Snappers placed RHP Dallas Gallant on the 7-Day disabled list.
    8/12 - Beloit Snappers activated RHP Cole Johnson from the 7-Day disabled list.
     
    Elizabethton Twins (Appalachian League, Rk+):
     
    8/12 - C Michael Quesada suspended (50 days, tested positive for a banned diet supplement)
    8/11 - C Kelly Cross assigned to Elizabethton Twins from GCL Twins.
     
    GCL Twins (Gulf Coast League, Rk):
     
    8/12 RHP Carl Pavano assigned to GCL Twins from Fort Myers Miracle.
     
    DSL Twins (Dominican Summer League, Foreign Rk):
     
    No Transactions this week
  3. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    With the Minnesota Twins about to announce another 2-year extension of their Player Development Contract with the Rochester Red Winds of the AAA International League and only their A-level relationship with the Beloit Snappers of the Midwest League being an unfinished business, I thought that it might be interesting to look at the average draw of the Twins' affiliates in all levels.
     
    I am listing ticket sold averages for each Minnesota Twins' affiliate from AAA to Rookie Leagues and also indicate the best and the worse sellers in their leagues (as well as their affiliations.) This does not include yesterday's games. In GCL and DSL games are free, but those teams are included for completeness. The cities (if not included in the name) and the states of the affiliates are also listed.
     
    Looks like the Philadelphia Philly affiliates (including the team closest to me Lehigh Valley IronPigs) are leading in ticket sales in every league they are with the Twins. Other than the Miracle and the E-Twins, that perennially are pretty high in sales for their leagues, all other affiliates are close to the middle. Beloit being the only exception and this is part of the reason the Twins are looking to change affiliation.
     
    Here are the numbers:
     
    Rochester (NY) Red Wings, AAA, International League
     
    Average Attendance: 5,710
    Rank in League: 9th out of 14
    League High: 9,083 Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies)
    League Low: 3,613 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
     
    New Britain (CT) Rock Cats, AA, Eastern League
     
    Average Attendance: 4,933
    Rank in League: 6th out of 12
    League High: 6,265 Reading Phillies
    League Low: 2,864 Binghamton Mets
     
    Fort Myers (FL) Miracle, high A, Florida State League
     
    Average Attendance: 1,792
    Rank in League: 5th out of 12
    League High: 2,558 Clearwater Threshers (Phillies)
    League Low: 844 Dunedin Blue Jays
     
    Beloit (WI) Snappers, A, Midwest League
     
    Average Attendance: 989
    Rank in League: 15 out of 16
    League high: 8,512 Dayton Dragons (Reds)
    League low: 862 Burlington Bees (Athletics)
     
    Elizabethton (TN) Twins, Rookie, Appalachian League.
     
    Average Attendance: 948
    Rank in League: 4th out of 10.
    League High: 1,322 Greeneville Astros
    League Low: 781 Pulaski Mariners
     
    Gulf Coast League (Fort Myers, FL) Twins, Rookie, Gulf Coast League.
     
    Average Attendance: no formal attendance/ free games
    Rank in League: N/A
     
     
    Dominical Summer League (Boca Chica Baseball City, DR) Twins, Rookie, Dominical Summer League.
     
    Average Attendance: no formal attendance/ free games
    Rank in League: N/A
     
     
    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6873268706_ed1c6493c8_z.jpg
  4. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch (where the graphics might be bigger and more readable)
    ---
     
    For a while I wanted to take a bit of a formalized look at the Twins' pitching this season to see what we have learned and see what would make sense for the team to do in the future. Also, it has been a while since I took a formalized look at Twins pitching, so it was about time.
     
    The metrics I like to use to do this have been some simple things of my own device: Pitching Effectiveness or PE and Expected Pitching Effectiveness or xPE. I fiddled around with PE in 2008 and with xPE in 2009. Here is the reason I devised PE and here is the reason I optimized it to xPE. My main arguments were a. I felt like xFIP and FIP and DICE weigh too much things like home runs (which anyone who watched the home runs by Miquel Cabrera and Delmon Young against the Twins yesterday cannot deny that they are a matter of inches and ballpark and luck and fielding performance from being a long fly ball). Also these formulae are hard to memorize and I wanted something simple I can calculate looking at a stat sheet and also something that you can calculate using splits (e.g. how has Brian Duensing or Glen Perkins been as a starter vs as a reliever); you can find xFIP around, but not in a spit form. So in 2008 I devised PE, which simple takes account three things: Strikeouts, walks and hits. So a pitcher who strikes out more people, walks fewer and gives lesser hits is more likely to succeed than someone who doesn't. And all hits are counted equal because the difference between a single and a triple might be the difference of having Delmon Young or Ben Revere play Left Field or the difference between a fly ball out and a home run might be the difference of having Torii Hunter or Rich Becker playing Center Field. And I use WHIP, K/9 and K/BB to calculate PR. xPE normalizes for BABIP to account for "luck" with hits. And unlike FIP and ERA, these two measures go the opposite directions (higher is better) and have a large variation (0.x to 100+) to allow for granularity in comparisons vs. compressing performance from 0 to 10 or so.
     
    Fast-forward to 2010: Matt Swartz and Eric Seidman in a series of 4 articles at Baseball Prospectus (part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4) introduced the metric of Skill-Interactive Earned Run Average or SIERA. Automatically, I realized that these guys had something (because a lot of their argument of creating this measure were similar to my objections with FIP and xFIP) and the more and more I dug, the more and more I like it. It basically looks at individual ways of pitching skills like inducing ground balls vs fly balls, striking out people, not walking people etc. Which is great. I think that is has become my favorite ERA-like measure (it too is on a ERA scale and lower is better) to look, but it is also a pain to derive (one needs Excel, on the other hand it is available in places like Fangraphs), but good luck try to figure splits like ground balls allowed as a starter vs as a reliever... The formula for posterity's sake is: SIERA = 6.145 – 16.986*(SO/PA) + 11.434*(BB/PA) – 1.858*((GB-FB-PU)/PA) + 7.653*((SO/PA)^2) +/– 6.664*(((GB-FB-PU)/PA)^2) + 10.130*(SO/PA)*((GB-FB-PU)/PA) – 5.195*(BB/PA)*((GB-FB-PU)/PA)
     
    So, if it does not fit on a T-shirt (and it doesn't), I still need a quick way of looking at things. In the following table I took aggregate (i.e. Duensing's numbers are both for starting and relieving) Twins pitching numbers from 2012 from Fangraphs, including ERA, FIP, xFIP, SIERA and tRA (another measure I am not going to get into right now), calculated PE and xPE and looked at how all correlate with SIERA, xFIP and ERA:
     
     
     
    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7794563422_719e7c83fb_z.jpg
    As I mentioned PE and xPE go on a different direction (bigger number is better) than the others (ERA, FIP, xFIP, tRA and SIERA) so -1 is the best possible correlation factor for those (that would be a perfect match)
     
    Happy to say that xPE, xFIP and SIERA correlate really nicely with themselves than with FIP and tRA and they all do not correlate with ERA, which is a good thing. Actually, I can get more into the nitty gritty dirt and say that xPE seems to correlate better with SIERRA in good to average performances and less in the bad performances, but still a .89 vs .91 correlation factor difference with this sample size is not significant.
    (one of these off-seasons I promise I will play with bigger data samples, but I am keeping this about the Twins and their 2012 pitching....)
     
    So how about them Twins?
     
    I am looking at splits, so I am using xPE. And I am looking at starters vs. relievers vs. the league averages trying to compare the Twins rotation and pen to those and see if I can make any sense doing this. When I started this 3 and 4 years ago, PE and xPE average for AL starters was around 10 and for AL relievers around 11.5. And here are some ranges and classifications
     
    Rotation:
    xPE
    35+ Ace
    25-35 #1- #2 Starter
    15-25 #2- #3 Starter
    10-15 #3 - #4 Starter
    7.5-10 #5 Starter
     
     
     
    Bullpen:
     
    xPE
    35+ Closer
    25-35 Closer-Setup
    15-25 Setup- Long Relief
    8-15 Long Relief-Mopup
     
     
    The dual classifications indicate positions in Championship-caliber teams vs average teams. So in other words, in a championship team you better have 3 start pitchers with xPE above 15 and 2 with and xPE above 25 and a forth with xPE above 10.
     
     
    Here is the data for the Twins rotation and pen (and for pitchers like Swarzak and Duensing I used their individual splits in each to calculate respective xPEs). Huge surprise (should not be huge but...) : By looking at the AL Averages, either pitching has improved, especially in the pen (where average xPE is 16; vs 12.5 in the rotation) or hitters do not hit the ball as well. A 2.5 point jump in averages for starters and 5 point jump for relievers is huge. And that would be an interesting thing to look during the off-season and might actually make me to adjust the classifications above upwards a bit.
     
     
    Here are the numbers for the Twins rotation:
     
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7794560350_874a17217e_o.jpg
     
     
    and here for the bullpen:
     
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7794560406_8cec4ae7bf.jpg
     
    So as far as the rotation goes:
     
     

    The Twins have had 4 number 3 type starters (and not all the time - a lot of Diamond's and De Vries' starts were given to Marquis, Walters and Blackburn) Pavano has been injured and Liriano has ranged from a number one to below replacement.
    Going forwards the Twins can build on the fact that they have a couple of pitchers who can be number 3 starters in a good team (Diamond and De Vries) and someone who can be a number 5 starter (Hendriks) and seek a couple #1 and #2 starters to make a competitive rotation.
    Brian Duensing and Anthony Swarzak are better in the pen
    Something needs to be done with Nick Blackburn

     
    As far as the pen goes:
     
     

    The Twins have a core of 3 very good relievers (Robertson, Perkins, Burton)
    Casey Fien has been a pleasant surprise
    Adding Duensing and Swarzak completes a nice pen that would need an additional arm (could be a free agent or some September call up to step up) It could be Capps, but his performance is not proportional to the $6.5 million option
    Alex Burnett, Jeff Gray, Jeff Manship, have not been effective (the jury is still out on Perdomo, Oliveros, Maloney and Waldrop because of the small sample )

  5. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    By now the latest transaction of the Minnesota Twins is about half a day old. SS Brian Dozier was optioned to the Twins AAA club and SS Pedro Florimon was recalled. Dozier was benched for 2 games after a critical error on Sunday and he has been at about replacement level with the bat and been strugging on the field on occasion. Typical rookie season. Even here, yesterday morning the possibility the the Twins might have given up on Dozier temporarily, was mentioned.
     
    Also, it looks like this was not a unanimous decision by the Twins' management. In this article Joe Christensen suggests that the move has been debated for "weeks" among Twins' officials and reported that Ron Gardenhire didn't seem thrilled when it happened and he would not speak on the move. Rob Anthony answered all questions about the move. Clearly Gardhenhire has been of the loud Dozier supporters the past 2 seasons and it seems that he was against this decision. MLB.com Rhett Bollinger's piece does not have the Gardenhire information. Phil Mackey's ESPN 1500 story also suggests that there was a long discussion on the subject among the Twins brass and Mackey also adds that the particular play on Sunday and Dozier's reactions afterwards. could have been the decisive point in the demotion (the proverbial last piece of straw). Pioneer Press' Ben Goessling's article is also devoid of mentions of internal discussions and disagreements. Terry Ryan was at Rochester on Tuesday to watch the team and Pedro Florimon played SS; so the timing of his trip might be more than co-incidental. It will be interesting to see the cohesiveness of the Twins' management in what has been a clearly trying and frustrating season for the Minnesota Twins.
     
    Pedro Florimon will wear uniform number 25. The last player who wore it was Erik Komatsu earlier this season and Jim Thome before him. Interesting enough, this was Alexi Casilla's number and Jim Thome had to buy it from him. So maybe this is passing of the batton in a way from one Dominican to another in the Twins' middle infield. The most notable Twin associated with number 25 is Randy Bush, member of both Twins' World Championship teams, who wore if from 1982 to 1993.
     
     
    Pedro Florimon was born on December 10, 1986 in La Romana Dominican Rebublic and signed an amature free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization in 2004 as a 17 year old. He came to the states as a 19 year old and played in Baltimore Appalachian League (Rookie) affiliate Bluefield Orioles and their Short Season A New York Penn League affiliate Aberdeen IronBirds. He ended the season hitting .293/.403/.369 with one HR, 13 RBI, 7 SB in 269 PAs. That was probably his best professional season in the Orioles system. His last season there was 2011, when he repeated AA Eastern League Bowie Baysox and hit .267/.344/.396 with 8 HR, 6 RBI and 15 SB. He was selected off Waivers by the Twins on December 5, 2011 at last off-season's winter meetings. Was invited at the MLB Spring Training camp last spring where he was one of the last cuts, and started his Twins' career with AA Eastern League New Britain Rock Cats and played 30 games before was promoted to Rochester. At New Britain he hit .283/.347/.372 2 HRs, 7 SB (improving his previous season performance in the same league) and for Rochester .251/.308/.344 in his first taste of AAA as a 25 year old.
     
    When I gave a mini scouting report when he was claimed by the Twins last September, I mentioned:
     
    Defensively, he has exceptional range and instincts, but he (more than occasionally) botches easy plays. In 602 games at SS, he has 174 errors but also turned 363 double plays. He has a strong arm and has some occasional gap power with the bat. All in all, he is very similar to a younger Alexi Casilla and would need some work with his concentration on the field. I think that the Twins signed him as organizational depth at this point, since there are no pure short stops in the higher levels of the organization. If he improves his error rate, he could possibly win a bench position with the Twins.
     
    That was before he played a single inning in a Twins' uniform. Based on his Spring Training performance and his steadiness with the Rock Cats and Red Wings this season, I think that he did turn the corner on the field and could even potentially challenge for a starting job next season, depending who is still with the team. On a good competing team, unless he progresses further with the bat (he is still 25,) he could be a bench player. A note: I am calling him a bench vs. a utility player. All his career, Florimon has played only at short stop exept of a single game at center field (2011, Bowie BaySox) and 2 at second base (2011, Bowie Baysox and 2009, Delmarva Shorebirds) in the Baltimore Orioles' organization. So, unless he receives additional instruction and playing time at second and third next off-season and spring training, his utility future might be uncertain.
     
     
     
    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/7789132104_71d61b6ac6_o.jpg
  6. Thrylos
    Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    Here is this week's installment:
     
     
     

    Unfortunately Matt Capps' MRI did not show any improvement and he is not close to a rehab assingment yet. Probably threw his last pitch as a member of the Twins. And there might be some sugar coating but re-signing him and losing the 2 draft picks was one of the worst mistakes that Terry Ryan made. And there is no sugar coating for that.
    Congratulations to Oswaldo Arcia for named Eastern League player of the month for July and the Eastern League player of the week for the past week.
    Twins' RHP Scott Baker, who underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this season, is already playing catch. And he has been saying that he feels better than he felt for the last 2 years, which is really positive.
    Here are the most recent organization Transactions. Please notice the Carl Pavano shuttle. He is in the GCL and not in the FSL right now.
    Catcher Michael Quesada was suspended. He last played for the Elizabethton Twins (Rookie, Appalachian League.) He was suspended for 50 days because he tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned and dangerous diet supplement similar to ephedra
    Here is a great article on Cole De Vries.
    Lots of awards coming up, but Baseball America, named Twins' middle infielder Pedro Florimon, the "strongest infield arm" in the AAA International League.
    Former Twins' starting pitcher Jason Marquis took a no-hitter into the 7th and ended up with a two-hitter. Happy to see that Gardy and Andy helped him realize his full potential while with the Twins. In 13 starts with the Padres he has 3.66 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 and 3.33 K/BB. Another success story for Andy and Gardy and Terry...
    The New Britain Rock Cats are celebrating their 30th year of existence in New Britain (after they moved from Bristol, CT) this season. Here is a great write up about the history of the Twins AA affiliate.
    Here is a great post by the Snappers' Director of Media relations, where she gets the Twins' A level players to give her the number one reason why they play baseball. Great stuff.
    Apparently the Minnesota Twins' ball cap, is preferred gear of a certrain hip hop artist
    Interim Twins' GM Terry Ryan, is related to the Republican Vice Presidential candidate
    In 5 games after his trade to the Twins, GCL Twins' Jeremias Pineda is hitting .273/.304/.273. He hit .421/.447/.534 before traded. Meanwhile, Danny Valencia, the other part of this trade was called up for Boston and has been hitless in 2 games.
    If you wonder what the Elizabethton Twins' players do in their days off, check this out. And the ones who are not doing that, are doing this
    Will a particular Twins' player have something going on that explains his offensive surge this season?
    Twins' product of the week is Minnesota Twins Throwback Gnomehttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B0048CXQ6Q. The Twins need luck in any way possible, and this guy looks a bit like their manager as well...

     
    The parting shot today is of Brian Dozier who has been lagging both on the field and with the stick lately. I hope that the Twins do not give up on him, but this has been a long season for him.
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/7776474708_54949e2879_z.jpg
  7. Thrylos
    Originally posted at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    Here is this week's installment:
     
     

    The Danny Valencia trade to the Boston Red Sox last Sunday is old news, but if you have not checked it yet, here is a mini scouting report of Jeremias Pineda, the Dominican switch-hitting Center Fielder the Twins received in return.
    Speaking of the Danny Valencia trade, here. here are a couple of reactions on his trade by current Twins' players. Danny's reactions are here: part 1, part 2 and part 3.
    Here is an article by Tom Powels lamenting the Twins' inertia during the trade deadline and discussing Terry Ryan's stuck in the past methods.
    Can you believe that AJ Pierzunski did that and did not leave Target Field with a ball on the helmet? Reason is that he was too much of a coward to start in the Wednesday game. But the Twins are playing the White Sox again...
    The Twins have signed 18 year old Australian RHP Josh Guyer. He will join the team in Spring Training. This is what he looks like. Apparently he is pretty good with the bat also. This article is as close as it comes to talk about his skills. It is mentioned that he is throwing the ball at 150 kph (this is 93.2 mph), which is alright for a high school kid.
    On the organizational movement front: I decided that minor league transactions deserve their own space, so you can find them all here (most recent on top) on a weekly basis. I will be updating every Saturday.
    Listening to Bert Blyleven trying pronounce Samuel Deduno's last name, makes me think of
    If you wonder how glamorous team meals in the minors are, check this out
    RHP Lester Oliveros has been shut down and will have surgery to clear bone chips from his pitching elbow. And, speaking of MLB-ready relievers, Anthony Slama was assigned to the GCL yesterday for a rehab assignment.
    Chris Parmelee was named International League hitter of the week for last week. Here is an interesting article on him
    The Twins are about to be attacked (or at least some Twins' fans) by those of Leeds United a British Premier League Football (Soccer) Club
    Speaking of places that do not like the Twins, you might want to add Rochester, NY and Beloit, WI, which seem to have lost the priviledge to host a Twins' minor league affilate for 2013 and beyond. I expect announcements to this effect to come on September 1st (the first day franchises can announce new affiliations officially.) To add insult to injury, the Beloit Snappers were giving away bobbleheads of Price Fielder in a Milwaukee uniform. Last time I checked, the guy is playing for one of the major Twins' rivals. Not too good.
    Because I did not mention it before and I have not seen it mentioned widely: The Twins signed a 30-year committment to their Spring Training facilities at Lee County (Fort Myers) after the county voted to do the improments they required. On related news, Lee County is intensifying its efforts to get a third team in the area to occupy the old Red Sox' facilities.
    Another former Twins' player is reaching his potential. It is called entering his prime nad not giving up on players before their prime (something the Twins are not exactly great about.)
    Here is a contest where fans pick current AAA players who will have the most impact as September call ups. The Twins' AAA representative is Pedro Florimon. I think that speaks volumes
    The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Slingbackhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B005H14GZW; hey it's back to school shopping time.

     
    The parting shot today is of Tsuyoshi Nisioka (and his sidekick Ryo Shinkawa - never leaves home without it) who was recalled with the Twins Sunday, after Danny Valencia was traded to the Boston Red Sox and his made his MLB-debut for this season last night at Cleveland:
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7720566978_a3c5fc2c4a_o.jpg
  8. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---

    Unfortunately there is not a single place that lists all the transactions in a particular teams' organization in a timely format. Baseball America has a week or two delay in reporting those, so I felt like I should start one, since I am doing it in twitter anyways and on the Tuesday posts. I will be doing it on a weekly basis, Friday to Friday and post them on Saturdays. Promotions and demotions will be listed under the team where the player currently plays (this means promotions to the Minnesota Twins will not be listed here.)


     
    This week featured 4 new members of the Twins' organization making their debuts: Pedro Hernandez and Eduardo Escobar with Rochester, Luke Bard with Elizabethton and Randol Rogers in the DSL. Also, Garrett Jewell was released from the organization.
     
    Here are the transactions in all levels in the Twins organization from July 27 until yesterday August 3:
     
    Rochester Redwings (International League, AAA):
     
     
    8/3 - Rochester Red Wings placed RHP Lester Oliveros on the 7-Day disabled list.
    7/29 - Minnesota Twins optioned LHP Pedro Hernandez to Rochester Red Wings.
    7/29 - Minnesota Twins optioned Eduardo Escobar to Rochester Red Wings.
    7/27 - RHP Daniel Turpen assigned to Rochester Red Wings from New Britain Rock Cats.
     
     
    New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League, AA):
     
     
    7/27 - RHP Matthew Hauser assigned to New Britain Rock Cats from Fort Myers Miracle
     
     
    Fort Myers Miracle (Florida State League, A+):
     
     
    7/28 - LHP Ryan O'Rourke assigned to Fort Myers Miracle from Beloit Snappers.
     
     
    Beloit Snappers (Midwest League, A):
     
     
    7/31 - LHP Corey Kimes assigned to Beloit Snappers from Elizabethton Twins.
    7/31 - Beloit Snappers activated 2B/OF Eddie Rosario from the 7-Day disabled list.
    7/31 - Beloit Snappers placed RHP Cole Johnson on the 7-Day disabled list.
     
     
    Elizabethton Twins (Appalachian League, Rk+):
     
     
    7/29 - RHP Luke Bard assigned to Elizabethton Twins from GCL Twins.
    7/29 - Elizabethton Twins released RHP Garrett Jewell.
     
     
    GCL Twins (Gulf Coast League, Rk):
     
     
    7/31 LHP Andrew Albers assigned to GCL Twins. (Rehab)
     
     
    DSL Twins (Dominican Summer League, Foreign Rk):
     
     
    8/3 - RHP Randol Rogers assigned to DSL Twins.
  9. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. This is the last of the talk. Potential trade action will happen up till 3:00 PM today. I will post a Twins Trade Deadline Retrospect after the dust settles tonight or tomorrow (probably tomorrow because I want to look at potential reactions) and will pubish August waiver trade talk as it comes. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:
     

    Jon Heyman indicates that the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Fransisco Giants are interested in Justin Morneau.
    Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal suggests that the Los Angeles Dodgers are out on Justin Monreau. because they have nothing suitable. He also suggests that the Twins are looking for a team to take his salary and want a young MLB-ready starting pitcher in return.
    Heyman also suggests that Jamey Carroll may be traded, without linking him to particular teams.
    Darren Wolfson tweets that the Toronto Blue Jays had plenty of scouts at the Twins' game last night.
    Jerry Crasnick reports that Glen Perkins is in "high demand".

    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7684108038_5bc6290935_z.jpg
  10. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    Here is this week's installment, heavily influenced by today's trade deadline:
     
     

    Fransisco Liriano to the White Sox is old news. Here are profiles of the players the Twins received in return. And this is a very sad sight.
    Luis Perdomo is the newest Twins' member. He was called up from Rochester (where he was a swing man who started a few games) to take Anthony Swarzak's spot who went to the 15 day DL with soulder issues that were called "mild rotator cuff strain", which is not too good.
    Apparently replay in MLB will be expanded to include trapped ball calls and balls hit down the line. When and how and other details remain to be worked out.
    On the organizational movement front: Danny Turpen promoted to AAA Rochester, Jose Gonzalez and Matt Hauser promoted to AA New Britain. Steve Liddle and Ryan O'Rourke promoted to high A Fort Myers. DJ Baxendale and Taylor Rogers promoted to A Beloit. Chris Mazza and Luke Bard promoted to Rk+ Elizabethton. Pedro Hernandez and Eduardo Escobar, whom the Twins received from the White Sox in the Liriano trade were optioned to AAA Rochester. Brian Compton was assigned to the Rk GCL Twins. LHP Steven Evans (A Beloit Snappers) and RHP Garrett Jewell (Rk+ Elizabethton Twins, but did not pitch in 2012) were released from the organization.
    The Twins have signed free agent SP Eric Hurley (released by the Angels) and assigned him to AAA Rochester Redwings.
    Eddie Rosario is back from reconstructive face surgery after hit on the face with a ball and playing with the GCL Twins since last Wedensday, joining Alex Wimmers who was also rehabing there until he had a set-back the other day; he may require Tommy John surgery.
    Yesterday was Scott Diamond's 26th birthday
    This did not apparently deserve air time in any of the "major" press outlets, but there are a lot of hints that MLB team contraction might again be upon us
    Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks? Not in a particular section of Target Field in particular games.
    Interesting to see few of the first articles in the local Twin Cities area correctly pointing fingers at the interim General Manager for the Twins' pitching issues. Previously, Terry Ryan and Ron Gardenhire and company have had teflon. Very refreshing to see a change in the local Minnesota press' attitudes. And as soon as I wrote that, here comes another this morning
    Interesting article about Rick Anderson's relationship with Fransisco Liriano.
    Also the "interim" tag remains for Terry Ryan, based on his words to Phil Mackey. Ryan realizes that he might lose his job and does not deserve to have the tag removed after this awful season
    If you were wondering what the Twins do in "all staff" meetings, here is your answer.
    If anything, this twitter profile picture change by a Twins' player (happened a while ago) speaks tons about how he feels about the organization and the way he has been treated, and I cannot say that I disagree much.
    Can anyone rationalize why something like this belongs to the official site of the Twins' AAA team and is anyone wondering why the Twins need to get the hey out of Rochester?
    Pelotero, the movie featuring Twins #1 prospect Miguel Sano and other Dominican players, was produced by current Boston Red Sox' skipper Bobby Valentine.
    Twins' tweet of the week is this one by Jake Proctor
    For the Kevin Slowey fans: His dad now is on twitter.
    Not Twins' related, but my home team, the Lehigh Valley IronPics wore this atrocity last week. Makes the blue custodian uniforms the Twins wore in Kansas City look "nice".
    The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins 1965 Cooperstown Legendary Victory Short Sleeve Tee Shirthttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B006YIMTH4, which is actually a killer deal at $14 at L and $13 at XL

     
     
    The parting shot today is of the newest member of the Minnesota Twins Luis Perdomo who made his MLB Twins' debut last Saturday.
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7653075494_1eb7d51345_z.jpg
  11. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:
     
     

    Fransisco Liriano to the Chicago White Sox is old news. Here are profiles of the players the Twins received in return. Apparently the Twins did not even talk about an extension at this point. and the Boston Red Sox were finalists up to the trade time. I wonder what their offer was to make the Twins' interim GM, Terry Ryan, trade within the division...
    The last trade between the Twins and the White Sox was on September 3, 1986 when the Minnesota Twins traded Pete Filson to the Chicago White Sox for Kurt Walker. The last trade between the two teams that involved a decent player was on February 19, 1985 when the Twins traded Roch Scheer and Randy Johnson (Not THAT Randy Jonhson) to the White Sox for current TV analyst Roy Smalley. And both of those times, the White Sox were in a different division (AL East vs AL West.) The first ever trade between the two franchises was in June 13, 1903 when Ducky Holmes was traded by the Senators to the White Sox for a player to be named later and became Davey Dunkle a week afterwards.
    Meanwhile, Twins' players were disappointed by the Liriano trade and White Sox GM Kenny Williams apparently thinks that they see some flaws they can fix to improve Liriano. Here are some additional reactions of Twins' players and coaches. Liriano himself was surprised by the trade.
    On the Ron Gardenhire show on ESPN 1500 yesterday morning, Gardenhire said that there have been discussion about Justin Morneau and he really does not want Josh Willingham to leave the Twins.
    Bob Nightengale indicates that the Twins are talking to other teams about Denard Span, but unlike what Terry Ryan said (ie. that he is after single A prospects,) he is looking for an MLB-ready pitcher in return.
    This is a strange one (but very true) : The Seattle Mariners are interested in Josh Willingham. A package of Héctor Noesí and/or Erasmo Ramírez and maybe even Taijuan Walker could be in the works
    Justin Morneau, Matt Capps, Carl Pavano and Nick Blackburn all make Jon Heyman's list of players who can get traded via waiver trades after tomorrow's deadline. Nick Blackburn? That is hopeful.

     
    http://media.thestate.com/smedia/2012/07/23/23/17/533-VyFXC.Em.55.jpeg
  12. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order.
     
    Yesterday there was more action that talk, because the Twins have traded their ace Fransisco Liriano to the hated Chicago White Sox for SS Eduardo Escobar and LHP Pedro Hernandez. At first thought, The Frankie Trade has the potential to be seen as bad as The Garza Trade by Twins' fans everywhere. Furthermore trading him to the most hated by the Twins' fans team within the division means that somebody or something possessed Terry Ryan, a feeling that is accentuated by a look at Eduardo Escobar's career minor league OPS: .666. Both players are on the 40-man roster. The Twins would need to make a related move to open one more spot. Both players are heading to Rochester and are assigned to the Red Wings. This definitely has to be the work of the devil or something. On the other hand, let's see who the Twins received in this trade and see whether there is a silver lining:
     
    Pedro Hernandez
     
    Pedro Hernandez, a LHP, is a 23 year old Venezuelan, born on April 12, 1989 in Barquisimeto, who was one of the two pitchers the White Sox received by the Padres in the Carlos Quentin trade. He is listed at 5'10" 200 lbs. Hernandez was rushed (to AAA) by the Padres in 2011 and (to the majors for one start) by the White Sox this season. He has dominated AA in 2011 and was doing a fine job this year. He had 3.40 ERA, 1.185 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 4.30 K/BB in AA San Antonio in 2011 in 8 starts and 2.75 ERA, 1.252 WHIP, 4.8 K/9 and 2.06 BB in AA Birmingham earlier this season in 12 starts. In 2 stars (3 games) in AAA Charlotte this season he was 3.71 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 and 5.67 K/BB. His AAA numbers are better than any of any Twins' AAA pitchers (including Scott Diamond) this season.
     
    He has four pitches: Fastball, Cutter, Curve and Change. Good command of all 4 of his pitches His best pitch is his change up and it is a plus pitch and definitely an out pitch. His fastball has above average movement and the velocity is at low 90s with occasional mid-90s spurs. He has developed a cutter recently, which projects as a plus pitch once he gets a better feel for it. It sits in the mid-high 80s. His curveball is an average pitch, its a slow curve in the 70s and he is using it as a change of pace type of pitch. He has been projected as a back of the rotation starter or a bullpen piece, but does have potential. A lot of it depends on the development of his cutter and fastball. He will probably spend a while in Rochester, might get up to the majors in September and fight for a rotation spot for 2013. He is what the Twins were looking for: an MLB-ready young pitcher who can help the 2013 rotation. And he is a Lefty.
     
     
    http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lacrossetribune.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/fa/5fa92983-2ff8-5fcc-9836-337cdaa6cf6e/500795678633f.preview-620.jpg
     
    Eduardo Escobar
     
    Eduardo Escobar is also a 23 year old Venezuelan, born on January 5, 1989 in Villa de Cura, and also is 5"10", but that is where the similarities with Hernandez end. He is generous listed at 165 lbs, is a Switch Hitting ShortStop and has incredible skills with the glove. Baseball America has listed him as the best fielding infield prospect with the White Sox the last 4 seasons. And defense and speed are his main weapons. Another player rushed through the system (in AAA last season and all season in the majors this season), his bat has not matured as fast as his glove.
     
    His career minor league line is .270/.315/.351, which is discouraging. He spent this season with the big club and he hit .207/.281/.276 in 98 plate appearances, which is Drew Butera-like at first sight. On the other hand, hitting as a RHB against LHP, he career MLB line is .333/.357/.481, which is very encouraging (but this is just 28 plate appearances) Also his MiLB career splits indicated that he is at least and average hitter as a RHB against LHPs. Maybe if he abandons switch hitting he might improve with most consistent repetitions. He is headed to Rochester to work with Tom Brunansky. All in all, he projects as a defensive replacement, utility hitter, unless he can turn the corner with the bat. He might return to the majors in September but expect him to be in a fight for a 25-man roster position in 2013 if one or both of Alexi Casilla and Jamey Carroll are not with the team.
     
     
     
     
     
    http://www.trbimg.com/img-4f721c25/turbine/chi-sox-game-day-another-opportunity-for-escob-001/600
     
    All in all, it is hard to know how the Twins did in this trade. They received two 23 year olds for Liriano, including a MLB-ready pitcher (who could be a mid of the rotation pitcher or could be like PJ Walters) and a sleek fielding SS. Both have the potential, whether they realize it, it is to be seen.
  13. Thrylos
    Originally posted at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
    This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:
     

    Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press reports that Twins' interim General Manager, Terry Ryan, "is making and taking calls". This is the first time that it was reported that Ryan is making calls, i.e. actively shopping Twins' players. In the same piece the names of the usual suspects (Justin Morneau, Fransisco Liriano, Josh Willingham and Denard Span) are mentioned without being linked to suitors. Also mentioned is that the Twins will be looking to get "hard-throwing arms" with a "high-upside" in return.
    Interesting article here in the Chicago Tribune from the Cubs' perspective, but suggests that it might starting to be a buyers' market for Starting Pitchers, which does not bode well for the Minnesota Twins and Fransisco Liriano. On the other hand, Chigaco's own Matt Garza is shut down with a triceps situation, which might take one pitcher off the market at the deadline.
    Phil Mackey connects the Atlanta Braves, who were shun by Ryan Dempster, with Fransisco Liriano. Over at the ESPN rumor central, they have Liriano linked to: St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles. In other words, half the league is after Liriano.
    Jim Bowden indicates that the Cincinnati Reds are "chasing" Denard Span, among others.
    Here is a name not mentioned before: Glen Perkins. John Morosi tweets that there have been "heavy interest" and that the Twins' price is "very high"
    Jason Start reiterates that Justin Morneau is available

     
    Any of these guys will be still be wearing Twins' uniforms for the 7:10 PM CDT game on July 31st?
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7656400424_ea03cea14f_o.jpg
  14. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
    This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:
     
     

    Jon Heyman reports that the Baltimore Orioles are looking into Fransisco Liriano. Meanwhile Jason Stark reports that the Orioles are "all but out of the rent a picher business, unless the price is too cheap to turn down", which does not make it a match for Liriano. Welcome to trade deadline conflicting talk.
    Apparently a week after the interim GM Terry Ryan said that the Twins are listening on anybody, an "annoyed Twins' person", as Jon Heyman tweets contradicts his interim GM as far as trading Josh Willingham goes.
    David O'Brien at the Altanta Journal and Costitution writes that the Atlanta Braves have not pursued Fransisco Liriano
    Joel Sherman suggests that the Twins hope that Carl Pavano and Matt Capps are healthy enough to move them this August in a waiver deal.

     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7653114270_3e9c917c6f_z.jpg
  15. Thrylos
    Originally posted at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
     
    This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the TWins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:
     
     

    Add another team to the list of teams interested in Franscisco Liriano: the Arizona Diamondbacks. LEN3 writes that the scouted Liriano along with the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays last Tuesday. Cubs? Maybe they were scouting someone else.
    Some interesting bits from Jason Stark's latest. He says that the Twins are looking for "a young ready to go" starter for everyone they trade. Also he indicates that Fransisco Liriano is "guaranteed" to be traded, probably after his next start. He also ranks what the Twins want in return for their position players as: a. Josh Willingham ("so expensive, it made me laugh"), b. Denard Span ("more pricey") c. Justin Morneau ("pricey"). Also indicates that the Twins do not want to pay for any of the $19 Million Morneau is owed, in a trade. In the same piece, he indicates that the Los Angeles Dodgers have talked to the Twins about Morneau. Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale says that the Dodgers will add a bat and a starter.
    Ken Rosenthal mentions that the Cincinnati Reds have been looking at Denard Span, but the price seems to be high and they might have to look at rentals instead.

     
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7646566684_b881c7c6aa_o.jpg
  16. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     





    This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the TWins, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:
     
     

    According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, the Washington Nationals had internal discussions about Jamey Carroll and other middle infielders. It seems that they will be making a move soon.
    From the is Josh Willingham available front: Ken Rosenthal tweets that a General Manager says that he is available but the Twins really want a lot for him (which is a good thing).
    Take another team off the Fransisco Liriano sweepstakes. The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to closing a deal with the Astros for Wandy Rodriguez. The Astros get Rudy Owens, a 24 year old LHP who is repeating AAA this season and is 8-5 with 3.14 ERA and 1.168 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 and 3.4 K/BB)Robbie Grossman a 22 year old toolsy CF who is hitting .262/.374/.403 with 7 HRs in AA and Colton Cain a 21 year old LHP who is pitching in high A with 4.20 ERA, 1.240 WHIP, 6.1 K/9 and 2.04 K/BB. Not top 100 prospects and only Grossman was on BA's list of the Pirates' top 10 prospects at number 8.
    The extension agreement of the Philadelphia Phillies with Cole Hamels this morning takes another LHSP off the market, thus increasing Fransisco Liriano's value both to the Twins as a trade chip and to himself as a free agent this off-season.

     
    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6879271410_905aef624a_z.jpg

  17. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
    Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:
     
     

    Ken Rosenthal suggests that the Carlos Quentin and Edwin Encarnacion contract extensions (for 3 years at about $10 million per with all incentives), make Josh Willingham more desirable (he still has 2+ years at just $7 million per) but he suggest that Twins will have a high price and "would want a major return". Jon Heyman reiterrates that the Twins are not in a hurry to trade him but also says that if they change their mind, there will be a "mile long" line of suitors. Jon Morosi also indicates that the "Twins have yet to put" him on the trade market
    WithRyan Dempster to the Atlanta Braves trade (which is still pending Dempster's approval), 3 things are happening that involve the Twins: a. The Atlanta Braves are no longer a suiter for Fransisco Liriano b. Fransisco Liriano will likely be the next Domino to fall in the SP market (according to Ken Davidoff who correctly reported before it happend that Dempster will be the first.) Given that one of the Braves' top pitching prospects, 22 year old Panamanian Randall Delgado, who pitched in the majors this season and last and was rated 46th top prospect in baseball this year and 35th last year by Baseball America, involved in the return package to the Cubs, expect a similar or better return for Liriano. And c. The Washington Nationals that are 3.5 games ahead of the Braves would like to improve also. The have been associated with Denard Span and Fransisco Liriano in the past.
    Speaking of returns on pitchers, the Miami Marlins trade Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers for 22 year old Jacob Turner RHSP #22 BA prospect, 22 year old C Rob Brantly with a .311/.359/.461 line in AA and now in AAA, and 22 year old LHSP Brian Flynn who just went to AA. They also swapped compensatory picks (a first in MLB). Sanchez and Infante is pretty much the equivalent of Fransisco Liriano and Alexi Cassila... Pretty good return.
    Heyman reports that the New York Yankees have talked to the Twins about Denard Span, but "did not like the price in prospects", so they went the Ichiro Suzuki way, which cost them the equivalent of Jeff Manship (D.J. Mitchell) and a guy they picked off waivers a couple weeks ago (Danny Farquhar; now try to pronounce that last name with a New York accent...)
    Jon Morosi reports that the Los Angeles Angels like Liriano and he is quoting former Twins' Centerfielder Torii Hunter, in support. Also lists Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves as teams looking for SP, without knowing whether they are interested in Liriano. You can cross the Braves off the list now.
    The Justin Morneau to the Los Angeles Dodgers rumours that started yesterday in LA, are rehashed in the Twin Cities today. Tim Brown writes that the Twins are having discussion about Morneau but they are asking the other teams for an existing major leaguer in return plus to take his full contract. Hard to believe that they would want a major leaguer in return, based on what Terry Ryan has been saying publicly.

  18. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     


    With the non-waiver trade deadline just 8 days or so away, I decided to have a pretty much daily look at the talk surrounding the Minnesota Twins' activity in the trade market. To do this, I need to do establish a "baseline" of what is already been reported. So I am listing (with public sources) the players who have been mentioned in trade talks and the teams linked to them. From tomorrow on, the news will be posted as they come on a daily or so basis. I am excluding players currently in the DL, even though they have been mentioned in trade talks, like Carl Pavano and Matt Capps. Here is the list:


     
    Denard Span: New York Yankees (apparently the Yankees have asked and think that the "Twins are asking too much" for Span. Also, in the same piece is listed that the Twins would rather trade Span than Willingham), Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins (mainly due to previous interest.) Cincinnati Reds (also the Nationals are mentioned in this Twins Cities' reference.) Also this Cincinnati reference mentions the Reds as suitors.
     
    Fransisco Liriano: Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees (scouted him), New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds. Several of these teams listed here as "believed to have interest in him and here. Here says that there are "8-10" teams interested in him, without naming names.
    Josh Willingham: Los Angeles Dodgers (reported that they "checked" on him)
     
    Justin Morneau: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays (most recently in this piece that also lists the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds.
     
     
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7629811708_82df8bb17b_z.jpg

  19. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    Here is this week's installment, heavily influenced by the upcoming trade deadline:
     
     
     

    I decided to give daily trade talk updates for the Twins, up until the deadline. You can find them all from newer to older here. Look for today's version to be up soon.
    One of the most intriguing names that were thrown around as a possible return for Fransisco Liriano is Garrett Richards, of the Angels. He did not break through yet, but he has Verlander-like stuff, and he is 24. Verlander was an average pitcher (look at WHIP not Wins) before his age 26 season or so.
    Danny Lehmann and Shairon Martis were promoted to Rochester from New Britain, Matt Summers, Jonathan Goncalves and Clint Dempster promoted from Beloit to Ft. Myers. Mason Melotakis and Zack Jones promoted from Elizabethton to Beloit. Kennys Vargas after serving his 50 day suspension, started the season in Beloit (and promptly hit a home run at his first plate appearance.) Andrew Ferreira was assigned to Elizabethton while Rene Tosoni went to New Britain through a rehab with the Miracle after starting the season in Rochester.
    The Twins' released AA RHP Brad Jacobson last Wednesday from New Britain
    When Ryan Doumit started at LF in a day game last Thursday against the Orioles, it mark the first time he ever played the position in an official game in professional baseball. He had never played a game in the LF in the Majors or the Minors.
    The Twins have spend $6.7 million more for bonuses for 2012 rule 4 draftees than they did in 2011. A total of $12.6 million
    Congratulations to Samuel Deduno for his first MLB win on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals
    Jeff Manship was named International League Pitcher of the Week for last week. He was 2-0 in 2 starts (12 IP) and had a 2.25 ERA. He will be out of options next season and the Twins need to make a decision on him, since he has not pitched well in 3 bried stints in the majors. I would not be surprised if he is added to a trade this coming week.
    Don't look, but very quietly Darrin Mastroianni is putting better numbers than both Ben Revere and Denard Span. He is hitting .276/.353/.421 with 2 HRs and 9 SB (as many as Span) in just 86 PAs. He should be part of the discussion for a starting job as Span's replacement when traded and possibly a part of the Twins' future OF. He is just 26 (same age as Trevor Plouffe.) At least he earned a bit more playing time. Would be interesting to see more Revere/Span/Mastroianni lineups, with Willingham at DH, Doumit at C and Mauer at 1B (at least until Span gets traded.)
    I would not be surprised if Carl Pavano hangs his cleats, revealing that he would need surgery on his injured shoulder, some time soon
    Not Twins' related, but, darn, this is a darn good article about Mike Lynn (and if you don't know who Mike Lynn is, you better read)
    The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Sportulahttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B00857HNHI. A perfect accessory for the grilling season. Big Twins' logo grill spatula with an integrated bottle opener on the handle... A must have.

     
    The parting shot today is of the guy in the Kansas City game. Yeah in the game when the Twins were wearing blue Dickies overalls for uniforms. Which guy? That guy:
     
     
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7619158536_defe7a6c5f_o.jpg
  20. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    Here is this week's installment (back from the hiatus of the All Star Break) :
     
     

    The newest promotions in the Twins' system: RHP Dan Sattler and OF Evan Bigley to Rochester, RHP Marty Popham to New Britain, RHP Dallas Gallant, LHP Steven Evans, SS Stephen Wickens to Beloit. On the other hand, Steven Hirschfeld and David Bromberg returned to New Britain from Rochester.
    Joe Benson started his rehab with the GCL Twins a couple weeks ago, moved to Miracle last week and today he is back at AA New Britain Rock Cats
    1B Matt Rizzotti (AA), LHP Bart Carter (A) and Venezuelan 3B Jairo Pérez (A+) were released by the Twins' organization. Pérez' release is a mystery because he has been performing well lately, and all indications point that it was not preformance-based.
    Newly drafted Twin Jake Proctor was transfered to the GCL 60-day DL because of a concussion
    Speaking of the draft, the Twins have signed 27 of their 43 picks. A complete list with known bonuses is here.
    Lots of trade scenarios for the Twins are coming out of thin air right now and the interim GM said that there will be no untouchables. Wheeling and dealing Ryan?
    Speaking of trades, Gardenhire is decreasing Matt Capps' trade value by deciding to keep him in a set-up role "for now"
    This is a great article on Trevor Plouffe.
    Kind of old news, but since it has never been mentioned, here it is: The Twins' players who made the jump from the Dominican Summer League to the Gulf Coast League this season are: Jose Ramirez, Melciades De La Cruz, Randy Rosario, Yoman Landa and Felix Jorge.
    A certain Twins' reliever has been hanging with music celebrities
    The documentary on Miguel Sano, Pelotero (Ballplayer), is now available on itunes.
    Apparently Gardenhire is holding a certain baseball hostage
    The Twins' product of the week is Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated Historyhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=0760336849. A must read for Twins' fans covering the franchise history from the 1961 move on...

     
     
    The parting shot today is of the one and only BOSS:
     
     
     
    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7498088018_24d4442b8a_z.jpg
  21. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    This is the third version of the 'who is hot in the Twins' minors' series for 2012. The Rookie leagues are in full swing, promotions and cuts have happened and a lot of things have changed from the last "who is hot" list. Lots of new blood, and I have been intentionally delaying this to include the Rookie league players. I am using 25 PA and 9 IP as a cut-off. Again, this is not a particular "fragment in time", but year-to-date cumulative performance. Injured players (like Eddie Rosario) are included. Players currently on the 25 man roster (like Liam Hendriks) or the MLB-DL (like PJ Walters) are not included. The "who is not" list will come later this week after the Holiday.
     
    Here is the list, going from AAA to Rookie. The clubs represented are AAA Rochester Red Wings, International League, AA New Britain Rock Cats, Eastern League, A+ Fort Myers Miracle, Florida State League, A Beloit Snappers, Midwest League, Advanced Rookie, Elizabethton Twins, Appalachian League, Rookie, Gulf Coast League Twins, and Foreign Rookie Dominican Summer League Twins. (does include yesterday's games) :
     
    http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5152/7098789651_02fb66b359_z.jpg
     
     
     
    Catchers:
     
    Kyle Knudson (RHB, 24, A/A+) .308/.379/.404 1 HR, 17 RBI, 118 PA
    Matthew Koch (RHB, 23, A) .278/.399/.477, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 185 PA
    Jairo Rodriguez (RHB, 23, A) .287/.355/.398, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 124 PA
    Michael Quesada (RHB, 22, Rk+) .375/.464/.542, 6 RBI, 28 PA
     
    Infielders:
     
    Miguel Sano (RHB, 19, A) .244/.361/.509 18 HR, 57 RBI, 388 PA
    Eddie Rosario (LHB, 20, A) .293/.362/.473 7 HR, 40 RBI, 9 SB, 271 PA
    Niko Goodrum (SHB, 20, Rk+) .306/.443/.735 2 HR, 14 RBI, 61 PA
    Travis Harrison (RHB, 19, Rk+) .354/.436/.479 1 HR, 4 RBI, 55 PA
    Stephen Wickens (RHB, 23, Rk+) .483/.543/.690 4 RBI, 35 PA
    Aderlin Mejia (SHB, 20, Rk) .353/.378/.500 6 RBI, 38 PA
     
    Outfielders:
     
    Matt Carson (RHB, 30, AAA) .278/.351/.429, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 299 PA
    Wilkin Ramirez (RHB, 26, A+/AA/AAA) .268/.290/.468, 10 HR, 26 RBI, 238 PA
    Aaron Hicks (SHB, 22, AA) .257/.348/.408 7 HR, 36 RBI, 18 SB, 288 PA
    Oswaldo Arcia (LHB, 21, A+/AA) .304/.371/.500 8 HR, 43 RBI 295 PA
    Nate Roberts (LHB, 23, A) .295/.431/.466 3 HR, 14 RBI, 110 PA
    Romy Jimenez (RHB, 21, Rk+) .439/.467/.976 5 HR, 16 RBI, 45 PA
    Candido Pimentel (SHB, 21, Rk+) .326/.367/.413 5 RBI, 50 PA
    Derek Rodriguez (RHB, 20, Rk) .429/.556/.643 1 HR, 4 RBI, 36 PA
    Adonis Pachero (LHB, 20, Rk-DSL) .313/.374/.518 8 RBI, 92 PA
     
    1st basemen/DH:
     
    Chris Colabello (RHB, 28, AA) .251/.319/.476 13 HR, 57 RBI, 299 PA
    Steven Liddle (LHB, 24, A) .294/.419/.490 1 HR, 5 RBI, 62 PA
    Rory Rhodes (LHB, 20, A/Rk+) .278/.345/.444 5 HR, 28 RBI, 165 PA
    DJ Hicks (LHB, 22, Rk+) .281/.410/.469 1 HR, 8 RBI, 39 PA
     
     
    RH Starters:
     
    Sam Deduno (28, AAA) 2.14 ERA, 1.167 WHIP, 9.86 K/9, 2.09 K/BB (42 IP)
    Cole DeVries (27, AAA) 4.37 ERA, 1.214 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 5 K/BB (70 IP)
    BJ Hermsen (22, A+/AA) 2.90 ERA, 1.108 WHIP, 4.45 K/9, 3.39 K/BB (93 IP)
    Tyler Jones (22, A) 2.63 ERA, 1.061 WHIP, 11.85 K/9, 4.50 K/BB (27.1 IP)
    Matthew Summers (22, A) 3.75 ERA, 1.219 WHIP, 6 K/9, 2.06 K/BB (96 IP)
    Kuo Hua Lo (19, Rk) 0.75 ERA, 0.417 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, INF K/BB (12 IP)
    Angel Mata (19, Rk) 2.03 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 6.75 K/9, 1.11 K/BB (13.1 IP)
    Junior Subero (20, Rk-DSL) 0.56 ERA, 0.563 WHIP, 6.75 K/9, 12 K/BB (16 IP)
    Damian Defrank (19, Rk-DSL) 2.33 ERA, 0.931 WHIP, 6.52 K/9, 2.33 K/BB (19.1 IP)
     
    LH Starters:
     
    Andrew Albers (26, AA) 3.77 ERA. 1.270 WHIP, 6.78 K/0, 6 K/BB (71.2 IP)
    Corey Kimes (22, Rk+) 3.86 ERA, 1.286 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 2.33K/BB (14 IP)
     
    RH Relievers:
     
    Carlos Gutierrez (25, AAA) 5.06 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 11.25 K/9, 6.67 K/BB (16 IP)
    Anthony Slama (28, AAA) 0.40 ERA, 1.132 WHIP, 14.69 K/9, 3.08 K/BB (22.2 IP)
    Casey Fien (28, AAA) 4.50 ERA, 1.205 WHIP, 7.77 K/9, 2.71 K/BB (44 IP)
    Luis Perdomo (28,AA/AAA) 2.56 ERA, 1.007 WHIP, 9.85 K/9, 3.13 K/BB (45.2 IP)
    Deolis Guerra (23,AA/AAA) 3.83 ERA, 1.095 WHIP, 8.94 K/9, 2.88 K/BB (49.1 IP)
    Lester Oliveros (24, AA/AAA) 2.63 ERA, 1.062 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 3.33 K/BB (37.2 IP)
    Dakota Watts (24, A+/AA) 1.13 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, 7.88 K/9, 2.8 K/BB (16 IP)
    Bruce Pugh (22, A+/AA) 1.71 ERA, 1.214 WHIP, 9.21` K/9, 2.69 K/BB (42 IP)
    Matthew Houser (24, A+) 2.30 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, 8.04 K/9, 2.63 K/BB (47 IP)
    AJ Achter (23, A/A+) 2.30 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, 10.72 K/9, 4.67 K/BB (47 IP)
    Michael Tonkin (22, A/A+) 1.35 ERA, 0.971 WHIP, 12.51 K/9, 5.25 K/BB (45.1 IP)
    Tim Atherton (22, A) 0.44 ERA, 0.823 WHIP, 13.94 K/9, 3.20 K/BB (20.2 IP)
    Josh Burris (20, Rk+) 0.82 ERA, 0.727 WHIP, 9.82 K/9, 4 K/BB (11 IP)
    Javier Vargas (19, Rk-DSL) 1.33 ERA, 0.836 WHIP, 5.31 K/9, 6 K/BB (20.1 IP)
     
     
    LH Relievers:
     
    Caleb Thielbar (25, A+/AA/AAA) 1.34 ERA, 0.851 WHIP, 12.27 K/9, 2.5 K/BB (47 IP)
    .ose Gonzalez (22, A+) 5.31 ERA, 1.230 WHIP, 8.63 K/9, 3.25 K/BB (40.2 IP)
    Nelvin Fuentes (23 A/A+) 2.74 ERA, 1.289 WHIP, 8.44 K/9, 2.86 K/BB (42.2 IP)
    Clint Dempster (22, A) 2.56 ERA, 1.263 WHIP, 7.11 K/9, 1.8 K/BB (31.2 IP)
    Matthew Tomshaw (23, A) 2.91 ERA, 1.147 WHIP, 6.62 K/9, 3.57 K/BB (34 IP, 5 GS)
    David Hurlbut (22, A) 1.53 ERA, 1.213 WHIP, 8.04 K/9, 3 K/BB (47 IP, 5 GS)
    Corey Williams (21, A) 3.13 ERA, 1.313 WHIP, 9.64 K/9, 2.22 K/BB (37.1 IP)
    Brett Lee (21, Rk+) 1.00 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 6 K/9, 6 K/BB (9 IP)
    Jadison Jimenez19, Rk-DSL) 1.93 ERA, 1.143 WHIP, 5.14 K/9, 1.33 K/BB (14 IP)
  22. Thrylos
    Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    Here is this week's installment:
     

    Here is an interesting article about the Twins getting stuck in the nineteenth century. This suggest to me that wholesale philosophy (and personnel) changes might be necessary to make them competitive in this century.
    The Twins have signed Ryan Doumit to a 2 year $7 million extension late last week. I think that it is a great deal esp. for that kind of money.
    Also, as I suggested last week when it was pretty much a done deal, the Twins have announced yesterday that they have signed 6'2" 190 lbs, 16 year old Dominican switch hitting SS Amaurys Minier to a $1.4 Million bonus, their second highest bonus to an international player after Miguel Sano. He is expected to develop power as well.
    After last season ended I gave evidence that Nick Blackburn does not belong to a major league rotation (and that Carl Pavano is a 4th or 5th starter at best), but maybe I misjudged (I hope so) Scott Diamond, because of the small sample size. But I have been showing that Blackburn (and Glen Perkins then) did not belong to a major league rotation since 2009, well before that ill-advised extension.
    Former Twins' pitcher Tony Davis signed a contract with the independent league Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association. Former Twins' CF Rich Becker also played for a bit with the RedHawks.
    Congratulations to New Britain Rock Cats LHP Andrew Albers, RHP B.J Hermsen and C Chris Herrmann who were selected to the Class AA Eastern League All-Star team
    Good news about Kyle Gibson: He is on schedule to pitch in games in August and possibly in the Arizona Fall League, after the season is over.
    I have intentionally been delaying the next versions of who is hot and who is not in the Twins' minors lists in order to get players from the rookie leagues. Expect them any time now.
    Nice article on Beloit's Drew Leachman by the Beloit Daily News. There we learn that his favorite baseball player is not a Minnesota Twins' player but a current Atlanta Braves' player. That's like drinking Pepsi Seven Up, while working for Coke.
    The Twins' product of the week is the 2012 Minnesota Twins Stars And Stripes caphttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B0075CVJ1A. Much better than what they wore last season, this one is a keeper
    Happy and Safe 4th of July to all!

    The parting shot today is of the Twins' sole representative in the 2012 All Star game. Go get them Joe.
     
    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6873269016_4f1ef33069_z.jpg
  23. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    Here is this week's installment:
     

    A first in Minnesota Twins' press coverage: A beat writer questions one of Gardy's decisions last Saturday, and Gardy lashes back at him “We’ll do the managing, and you should write.” Unfortunately for the ones who are doing the managing, pretty much everyone can manage a team to the worst record in the AL two seasons in a row.
    Congratulations to: Bobby Lanigan, Luis Perdomo and Caleb Thielbar who were promoted to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats; to Dan Sattler, Dakota Watts and Edgar Ibarra who were promoted to the Rock Cats from the high A Fort Myers Miracle; and to Michael Tonkin and AJ Achter who were promoted to the Miracle from the A Beloit Snappers.
    Congratulations to Oswaldo Arcia of the AA New Britain Rock Cats for being the only Twins' representative in the 2012 Futures Game.
    1B/OF Mark Dolenc (AA), C/RHP Tobias Streich (EST), C Billy Killian (EST), 2B Julio Torres (EST) and OF Erick Gonzalez (DSL) were released by the Twins
    The Twins have now signed 23 of their 40 2012 draft picks. Updated list with the bonus money is here
    The Twins unveiled their throw back uniforms that they will wear against the Kansas City Royals on June 30th. Unfortunately, they will be masquerading as a New York Giants' minor league affiliate, instead of wearing the proud colors of their franchise founding member of the AL, the Senators.
    I bet you did not know (I didn't) that a current Twins' player had background acting roles in TV shows like Knots Landing, Dallas and Saved by the Bell. Can you guess who? Here is an article on this player.
    Looks like other teams, in addition to the Twins, have problems spelling their players' names.
    Here is an interesting article on Twins' 1st round draft pick Byron Buxton and his life.
    Here is a great article about one of the long time Twins' minor league coaches.
    The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Multi Magnet Sheethttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B0028C249I. Comes really handy.

     
     
     
    The parting shot today is of one of the greater guys in the Twins' minors, LHP Tyler Robertston who will make his MLB debut for the Twins one of these days, after he was recalled from AAA Rochester Red Wingsyesterday to replace Matt Capps on the 25-man roster. He was the Twins' 3rd round pick in the 2006 draft. Chris Parmelee (1st round) and Joe Benson (2nd round) are the other players the Twins drafted in 2006 from High School and made it to the MLB. Brian Dinkelman (8th), Jeff Manship (14th), Danny Valencia (19th) and Anthony Slama (29th) were also drafted by the Twins in 2006 and made it to the majors but they were drafted out of college. A little known fact is that Tyler's dad, Jay Robertson, was also a professional pitcher in the Jays' organization in the late 70s, but never made it to the show. He was also a Twins' scout for a moon. I bet he is a proud dad these days. Robertson is wearing uniform number 64, last worn by Chris Parmelee last season and previously by September call up coaches Bill Springman in 2000 and Eric Rasmussen in 2009.
     
    http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/7442983344_d2be7f2fa7_o.jpg
  24. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    Here is this week's installment:

    Congratulations to Beloit Snappers for making the 1st half playoffs. Here are Snappers' AJ Pettersen's thoughts about Beloit's first half.
    Congratulations to Oswarlo Arcia for being promoted to New Britain. He is on the 40 man roster, so it very well be that he would be called up to the Twins in September from AA, pretty much like Parmelee and Benson did last season.
    Here is a great story about the Twins' 2012 40th round draft pick, Brad Schreiber, how he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and his thoughts about getting drafted and potentially signing.
    Twins' legend and MLB Hall of Fame member Rod Carew was working with Little Leaguers.
    Thinking about baseball names, wonder what Dick Such's doing these days. Haven't seen him around the Twins since he left after TK retired.
    A former Twins' organization player reached a baseball milestone last week.
    Here is another article about another former Twin who will face the Twins this week
    Here is Byron Buxton playing catch with the big boys before a Twins' game against the Phillies last week. He will report to the Elizabethton Twins (Rookie, Appalachian League)
    Really interesting article from the Ottawa Citizen about Canadian baseball alliances here. Well worth the read.
    The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Game Day Pouchhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B001XMNUS8. Big enough to carry your water to the ballpark now that it is getting hot out there.
    The parting shot today is of Lester Oliveros, the newest member of the Twins. He did not last long with the big club, after he was optioned to make room for Liam Hendriks, but he will be up again shortly.
     
     
     
    http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5113/7188332063_1f974e0508_o.jpg
  25. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
    Here is this week's installment:


     
    Who would have thought that at this point this season, Trevor Plouffe would have higher OPS+ (110 vs 107) and more HRs (9 vs 7) than Michael Cuddyer. Yet, again, the similarities were too good to ignore last November
     
    It is fairly astonishing, but every Twins' position player now, other than the middle infielders, has an OPS+ higher than 100.
     
    The only 3 pitchers with more than a strikeout an inning are Fransisco Liriano, Glen Perkins and Jared Burton. The only Twins' relief pitcher to have allowed more than a hit per inning pitched is Anthony Swarzak, but a bunch of those came when he was starting
     
    I have created a list of the 2012 Twins draft signees and will update as new information comes. You can find the list here. You can find useful information like High School or College player or College Senior. Also the bonuses are included. As of this post, 18 draftees have signed, including 9 of the Twins' 10 top picks. I am editing the list when new information, including bonus amounts comes and will continue to do so until July 13th, the signing deadline
     
    After following closely the 2012 Draft, the biggest difference (and was expected) from previous drafts was the amount of College and JC players selected. Lots and lots. Guess that helps high school kids go to College and will probably improve College Baseball. Now if they got rid of the aluminum bats there...
     
    This is a great article describing some of the new nuances of the MLB Draft
     
    The Director of Media and Community Relationships of the Beloit Snappers has a blog.
     
    Nick Lockwood, the Twins' 9th round pick of the 2009 MLB Draft who was released has been playing with the Washington (PA) Wild Things of the Independent Frontier League. Other notable 2009 Twins' draft picks making their debuts in the independent leagues: Ben Tootle (3rd Round) with Abilene (TX) Prairie Dogs of the North American Baseball League, Brad Stillings (7th Round) with the River City (MO) Rascals of the Frontier League, and Kane Holbrooks (21st Round) with the Fort Worth (TX) Cats of the North American Baseball League.
     
    Oswaldo Arcia made the Florida State League (A+) All Star team
     
    And former Twin Luke Hughes was assigned to the A's AA team, Midland Rockhounds of the Texas League.
     
    The Twins' product of the week is the MLB Minnesota Twins Authentic On Field Alternate 59Fifty Fitted Cap, Navyhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B003LCE64K AKA, the Twins'lucky "M" Cap

     
     
    The parting shot today is of one of the best-kept secrets in the Twins' organization as far as prospects go, Beloit Snapper's catcher Matthew Koch. He is having an incredible season and is flying totally under the radar. As of yesterday he was hitting .291/.413/.544 for a .956 OPS. This OPS is at least 100 points higher than that of his very well celebrated teammates Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario. As a matter of fact, his OPS is the highest of any Twins' Catcher in any step of the organization including MLB. He also threw out 48% of the would be stealers this season. Koch was the Twins' 12th round pick in the 2011 Draft out of Loyala Marymount University and played 12 games with the Elizabethton Twins after he signed last season. I would not be surprised if he gets called up to Fort Myers soon. And as I was writing this last night, this scouting report on the Snappers came out...
     
     
    http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7363337772_f0f5ff7278_o.jpg
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