At the very top of the Twins' Christmas List this year, is another starting pitcher. When asked what five would fill out the Twins' 2007 staff if Ron Gardenhire had to act right now, the skipper chuckled,
During Gardy's twenty minute media interview on Wednesday, this was the main topic of conversation. Clearly, there are some gaping holes to fill.
The only sure bets in Minnesota's rotation are Johan Santana, Boof Bonser and Carlos Silva. The other two spots are open to competition between Matt Garza, Scott Baker and Glen Perkins, unless of course, the Twins add another arm before the start of Spring Training.
Minnesota has been looking for an extra arm, but the only name that has surfaced publicly is right-hander Jason Jennings of the Rockies. Trade talks between Colorado and the list of clubs interested in Jennings is huge, leaving few options for the Twins in what seems to be a highly competitive market this year.
Terry Ryan says that the club has its eye on at least six different pitchers that they feel would be a good fit in the Twin Cities, but with their shallow pockets and the high demand for starters around the league, the Twins could be left to defend for themselves.
This will force the big dogs to get creative, working with some of what they already have. Matt Guerrier doesn't seem to be a consideration, but Gardy did mention Dennys Reyes as a last resort, if the team gets down to very few options. They would also love to add another lefty in relief, to lighten Reyes' load in the bullpen.
Baby, Please Don't Go:
Any announcement concerning Brad Radke's retirement has yet to come, so many have been speculating about a possible return by the veteran, which would be awesome. Wishful thinking though, if you ask me. We would all love Radke to come back for one more year, and word on the street is that the Twins are trying to talk him into returning. The chances of that actually happening are slim.
Also, the Twins are considering bringing back Rondell White as their starting left fielder, while possibly putting lefty Jason Kubel in the designated hitter's spot if no extra bats are added in the off season.
"Next question. I don't even know the first three [starters] yet. Let me give you three, and then we'll go for the other two."
During Gardy's twenty minute media interview on Wednesday, this was the main topic of conversation. Clearly, there are some gaping holes to fill.The only sure bets in Minnesota's rotation are Johan Santana, Boof Bonser and Carlos Silva. The other two spots are open to competition between Matt Garza, Scott Baker and Glen Perkins, unless of course, the Twins add another arm before the start of Spring Training.
Minnesota has been looking for an extra arm, but the only name that has surfaced publicly is right-hander Jason Jennings of the Rockies. Trade talks between Colorado and the list of clubs interested in Jennings is huge, leaving few options for the Twins in what seems to be a highly competitive market this year.
Terry Ryan says that the club has its eye on at least six different pitchers that they feel would be a good fit in the Twin Cities, but with their shallow pockets and the high demand for starters around the league, the Twins could be left to defend for themselves.
This will force the big dogs to get creative, working with some of what they already have. Matt Guerrier doesn't seem to be a consideration, but Gardy did mention Dennys Reyes as a last resort, if the team gets down to very few options. They would also love to add another lefty in relief, to lighten Reyes' load in the bullpen.
Baby, Please Don't Go:
Any announcement concerning Brad Radke's retirement has yet to come, so many have been speculating about a possible return by the veteran, which would be awesome. Wishful thinking though, if you ask me. We would all love Radke to come back for one more year, and word on the street is that the Twins are trying to talk him into returning. The chances of that actually happening are slim.Also, the Twins are considering bringing back Rondell White as their starting left fielder, while possibly putting lefty Jason Kubel in the designated hitter's spot if no extra bats are added in the off season.
4 comments:
I think Garza will work for one spot, Kevin Slowey might be a mid-season fill in, although I was not so happy with this work in the Arizona Fall League. I'm beginning to lose faith in Baker. J.D. Durbin - despite his health issues last season - may be a dark horse candidate out of the minor league system as well.
Radke is done - his health issues have been well documented and he's not going to be 100% by spring training. He wasn't 100% at the start of last year.
The Twins lost pitchers Kevin Cameron to the Padres and Levale Speigner to the Nationals in today's major league portion of the Rule 5 draft. The Twins selected infielder Alejandro Machando from the Nationals in the first round.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays took outfield Erold Andrus from the Twins in the 1st round of the minor league portion of the draft, while the Nationals claimed lefty Justin Jones with the sixth selection in that round. Both spent last year with the High A Fort Myers Miracle, Jones joining the team after Matt Garza was promoted to AA New Britain.
The Twins in turn claimed righty Jesse Floyd from the Giants with their 28th pick in the first round and 3rd baseman Brian Buscher, also from the Giants with the 20th pick in the second round of the minor league portion of the draft.
I will do a blog entry on the results this evening when I get off work.
I like Garza, he showed drastic improvement in a very short time lat year, and has great minor league numbers.
I lost faith in Baker a long time ago.
I'm excited to do a draft post as well. What a day! A little bummed about Justin Jones, though.
I am sad over JJ because I wanted an 8 x 10 signed. Obviously, I don't want it signed bad enough to drive over to spacecoast to see him.
I would like to direct attention to Dianna's Rule 5 Draft blog, located either in this comment section, or here. Sooze has the flu.
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