Congratulations, Minnesota Twins New Guy!

With Nick Punto still on the DL, the Twins called up Aussie infielder Luke Hughes, and today he made his first start at the hot corner. Hughes first came up to the plate at the bottom of the second with two out, but then Delmon Young got caught stealing third. Hughes resumed his plate appearance at the top of the 3rd, and he hit a home run at his very first Major League at bat.

The 25-year-old Hughes was signed by the Twins in 2002, and has been hiding out in the Twins' farm system for the last 7 seasons. Which leads us to ask why the hell we haven't called him up sooner???

On a side note, one of our favorite tater-mashers, Jim Thome, hit bomb number 568 tonight. He's just one shy of tying Rafael Palmero for the number eleven spot in all time home runs. Way to go, Jim Jam!

Man Muscles For MVP

Clearly, you all saw this post coming from a mile away, but it's high time BLB weighs in on the controversial "Joe Mauer For MVP" debate. No homerism here, we're just gonna lay out the facts. The cold, hard truth. Yes, we love his sideburns and humble MinnesotaNice with all of our hearts, but sideburns don't earn most valuable player awards. Neither do P's and Q's.

The first naysayer will take the "he's on a losing team" route. To that we say, what about your ever-loving A-Rod? Alex Rodriguez won the AL MVP award in 2003 in his final season with the Texas Rangers, who were dead last in the West with a 71-91 record. His 47 home runs, .600 slugging percentage and 124 runs scored were top in the league. (Too bad he totally cheated that year.)

If the 2009 season were to end today, Mauer would lead the entire game with a .380 batting average and .448 OBP, and would be high atop the AL with a .675 slugging %. He's also ninth in the league in home runs with 25, and tenth in RBIs with 77. Mauer's no monster slugger, but he's got one of the sweetest swings in baseball when he makes contact, which is often.

Sure, Mark Teixeira is having a super swell season (.288 AVG/.385 OBP/.562 SLG) with 30 homers and 32 doubles. He also spends half his time hanging out in a shopping mall with a ballfield in the middle of it: a.k.a. The New Yankee Stadium, which has become one of the biggest hitter's parks ever. In fact, he's hit only 11 bombs away from home this season. Tex's defense at first base is pretty amazing, but Mauer's position puts far more strain on his body. And the Metrodome just plain sucks to hit in. And Joe managed to put these numbers up after missing the entire month of April. And... so there.

For you stat geeks, here's a neat little table set up by Dayn Perry over at FOX Sports. He's one smart cookie...


So is there really even a debate here? I think as long as Man Muscles continues to kick ass over the next six weeks until those 28 newspaper writers cast their votes, he'll run away with the MVP Award -- along with his record-breaking third batting title as a backstop -- whether the Twins play baseball in October or not.

P.S. Check out BLB's 12 Second Trivia #3! We'll stump you eventually. Maybe.

[Larry Brown Sports] | [MinnPost - Gleeman] | [Josh Q. Public]

Minnesota Twins: Way to Go, Buddies!

Denard Span, batting leadoff and filling in for the injured Michael Cuddyer in the Minnesota Twins' right field, hit his first big league home run Monday night in the club's 7-0 lashing of the rival Chicago White Sox.

Span, who's batting .318 with a .405 OBP in just 35 games, nailed a two-run shot in the third inning to go along with Justin Morneau's 4 RBIs which gave youngster Kevin Slowey a hefty lead to work with. The 24-year-old righty, never allowing more than one man on base in any inning, struck out five and walked one to help the Twins move within 1.5 games of the division-leading South-Siders.

With six more games left in the season between these two teams -- all at the Dome -- things could get interesting in the race for first in the AL Central.

[Chicago Tribune] | [Ladies...] | [Major League Jerk] | [A Fan's View]

Did I Catch a Niner In There?

Nine straight victories, three consecutive sweeps.

Bring on the Beermakers.



[AP]

It's a Funny Game

The Minnesota Twins found support from the unlikeliest of sources Monday night.

After pinch-hitting for second baseman Alexi Casilla and shortstop Adam Everett in the ninth, manager Ron Gardenhire was forced to move Brendan Harris from designated hitter to shortstop in the 10th, forfeiting the designated hitter and setting Bobby Korecky up for the night of his life.

The right-handed reliever bailed the team out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the 11th, followed by a perfect 12th. To top things off, he became the first Twins pitcher to get a hit in an American League game since the DH rule was adopted in 1973, scooping up Nick Punto's helmet, bat and batting gloves. As if that wasn't enough excitement, he picked up his first career win as Minnesota rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers.

My Canadian Crusher Gets Paid

Standing alone in the limelight, surrounded by the many players avoiding arbitration this weekend, stands my Canadian Crusher, Justin Morneau.

The Minnesota Twins first baseman and 2006 AL MVP agreed to a $7.4 million, one-year contract Friday, receiving nearly $3 million raise from the $4.5 million he made last year. Morneau batted .271, crushing 31 longballs and 111 RBIs last season.

Here's to at least 40 bombs in '08, Justin.

Reliever Juan Rincon, who went 3-3 with a 5.13 ERA for Minnesota last season, was apparently worth roughly $2,475,000 to the club. He is eligible to earn an additional $25,000 for pitching in 65 games in 2008.

Two more Twins' salaries still need to be dealt with by the organization: right-fielder and cannon-armed stud, Michael Cuddyer, asked for $6.2 million while the team offered $4.7 million; and righty reliever Matt Guerrier, requested $1.15 million, as the Twins proposed $750,000.

Furthermore, Jason Kubel, who has bad knees and sucks at DHing but is good at standing around in left, reached a $1.3 million, one-year deal on Thursday.

[MLB]

What's the Time?

It's time to get ill! And talk about Johan Santana some more.

Thus far, the two-time Cy Young-winning ace is still on the Minnesota Twins active roster, but that doesn't keep him out of the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Mets' wet dreams. Ever since he rejected the Twins' four-year, $80 million offer this offseason, trade talks have lingered.

A veteran presence would be welcome in my fantasy land to lead Francisco Liriano, who will make his triumphant return from Tommy John surgery, Boof Bonser, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey in a youthful 2008 rotation.

Facing free agency after the 2009 season, Santana's services won't be cheap. There are just a few elite teams that could afford parting ways with their young studs, something which would no doubt be demanded by Twins GM Bill Smith.

Smith made it clear during the Winter Meetings that the Mets would have to surrender thieving shortstop Jose Reyes in any deal for Johan, while Mets GM Omar Minaya refused to do so. The Yankees and Red Sox have a couple of tasty offers of their own, chock full of big name prospects like Phil Hughes and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Contrary to popular belief, Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg insisted Friday that he has not demanded that Smith complete a swap before pitchers and catchers report on February 17th. Johan's latest comments about the situation were made in December:

"I'm a Minnesota Twin. That's all I know... whatever will be the best for this team and this organization, I'll agree with that."

[Newsday]

Venezuelan Heat Update

Yes, the New York Yankees are still mulling over the idea to pursue a trade for Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana.

Righty phenom Phil Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera would still likely be part of a three-player package needed to obtain the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who faces free agency after this season.

Hank Steinbrenner says, "I'm still leaning towards doing it. There's others leaning not to do it. There are some others that are leaning to do it also."

Thanks for clearing that up, Hank.

[ESPN]

Check out this post on Epic Carnival to see who will be testifying before the House of Pain in a couple weeks.

Craig Monroe to Stick Around Minnesota

Craig Monroe, who was acquired by the Minnesota Twins in mid-November for a player to be named, agreed to a $3.82 million, one-year contract with the club on Tuesday -- the eve of the deadline for big league teams to strike a deal with unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.

The 30-year-old outfielder, who will most likely learn to spell [Michael] Cuddyer and [Delmon] Young at the corners, hit a combined .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs last season between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs.

His Jedi powers (pictured right) may come in handy considering the Twins' lethargic offense.

[ESPN]

Johan Santana: Anytime Now?

It occurred to me this morning that Lizzy and I haven't really discussed whether we'll still be all BFF if/when this whole Johan Santana to Boston thing goes down... but since I'm a big girl and can totally cope with my anger and sadness, I'm gonna take the gloating gracefully if/when it comes. More on that later.

Sources close to both clubs -- though both Twins general manager Bill Smith and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein decline to comment -- say a deal is in the works to bring Santana to Beantown in a swap which may include starting pitcher Jon Lester or rookie sensation Jacoby Ellsbury (not both), who is now a client of superagent, Scott Boras.

"We have no payroll constraints. Our issues aren't payroll right now," Smith said. "Some of it is more length. Length of contract is an issue. Some things around groundbreaking issues. I'd just as soon leave it at that."

Basically, he's in no rush to give an extension to a pitcher -- the best in baseball or not -- for six seasons and an unprecedented amount of money. I get that. It sucks, but I get it.

This is me totally letting go... while wearing my Santana shirt which may or may not be soaked in tears of disappointment.

Johan would likely help the Red Sox in their quest for total world domination, joining a strong rotation that already includes Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield.

Total. Domination.

[SI.com]

Johan Santana Shopping Spree Set for Monday

Trade talks surrounding Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana are sure to heat up when big league executives and his agent, Peter Greenberg, meet up to wheel and deal during the annual Winter Meetings beginning Monday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Though Santana will not hit free agency until after the 2008 season, Twins GM Bill Smith has given other clubs the opportunity to sink their bobbers in the water and try to catch a big fish for their rotation.

It's going to take a ridiculous package deal chock-full of big name prospects to acquire the two-time Cy Young award winner, who has a no-trade clause with the power to veto. He's expected to demand a six-year offer, which may cost no less than $150 million.

There are few teams of elite payroll who can afford such a deal, including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.

The latest rumor involving the Yanks is a shuffled roster that would send top pitching prospect Phil Hughes (rather than Ian Kennedy,) outfielder Melky Cabrera and a random minor leaguer to Minnesota for the 28-year-old Santana. The Twins were not as impressed with this offer as expected, and want to add another top-tier prospect from New York.

The Red Sox have reportedly offered hardcore pitcher Jon Lester, center fielder Coco Crisp and minor league infielder Jed Lowrie, along with a fourth minor league pitcher, who is yet to be determined. However, the Twins want to add center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and pitcher Clay Buchholz to the mix. The Red Sox have agreed to throw Ellsbury into the deal, but would take away Lester if that is the case.

This is getting a little out of control. Do these big dogs not know that signing a pitcher to a long-term deal (best in the league or no) is not the wisest move in the history of the game? Take Atlanta Braves hurler Mike Hampton for example. He's made more than the entire Florida Marlins roster in the past two seasons, yet hasn't pitched once due to injury. Just a thought.

[NY Daily News]

Minnesota, Tampa Bay Warm Up the Hot Stove

The Minnesota Twins have finally given up some young pitching for decent hitting, sending Matt Garza to the Tampa Bay Rays in a six-player trade along with shortstop Jason Bartlett and bullpen prospect Eduardo Morlan for promising outfielder Delmon Young, middle infielder Brendan Harris and minor league outfielder Jason Pridie.

The 22-year-old Young, who didn't miss a game in 2007, was runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year and gives the Twins a much-needed boost to the outfield and batting order in the absence of Torii Hunter. Michael Cuddyer is expected to patrol right field, so Young will most likely take over in left so Jason Kubel can destroy all my hopes and dreams by becoming the primary DH. That is, unless Craig Monroe magically becomes a power-hitter.

Kubel hit 16 bombs and 65 RBIs last season and is incredibly injury-prone. Basically, he's the last guy to strike fear into the opposition. However, new GM Bill Smith says there's work to be done to solidify center field and third base, so the Twins aren't done making moves yet.

Top prospect Garza gives the Rays a solid starter behind Scott Kazmir and James Shields. He went 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 16 appearances -- 15 starts -- for the Twins after he was called up mid-season.

Bartlett, 28, batted .265 with five homers, 43 RBIs and 23 steals in 510 at-bats last season, making 26 errors at short. Harris hit .286 with 12 homers, 35 doubles and 59 RBIs in 521 at-bats in his first full season as a starter, spending time at both spots up the middle, making 11 errors.

All in all, this trade fires me up and has me brimming with speculative optimism for the winter meetings next week.

***See the Bat Girl Lego Reenactment HERE!

[ESPN]

Ian is Trying to Ruin My Day Off

Ian, a dear friend of mine who writes for the excellent Boston sports-based site, SOX & Dawgs, sent a news blurb to me this afternoon, possibly in an attempt to ruin the last day of my four-day weekend.

I kid, I kid.

Actually, this rumor has me more intrigued than feeling like a pissed off/helpless/frustrated fan.

In the midst of my love/hate relationship with the Minnesota Twins organization, more news regarding the imminent trade of Johan Santana surfaced this morning by way of Peter Gammons.

Apparently, the Twins want Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and minor league youngster Austin Jackson as a package deal from the New York Yankees for the two-time Cy Young award winner. This may seem like a ridiculous amount of compensation for one 28-year-old pitcher, but when that hurler is considered the best in the biz, all rules are shot out the window.

I'm even a little excited/nervous/terrified to see what happens during next week's winter meetings when the rest of the elite teams lay their offers on the table...

[Rotoworld]

I Think I Just Puked Up My Turkey

Jon Heyman of SI.com reported Friday that the Minnesota Twins recently offered Johan Santana a four-year extension worth $80 million.

Four years. Eighty million.

This heightens the possibility that the best pitcher in baseball may be traded this winter, most likely during the Winter Meetings, which run from Dec. 3-7 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Santana, 28, has been nothing short of outstanding for the Twins rotation over the last four seasons as a regular starter, compiling a 93-44 record and 3.22 ERA with 1,381 strikeouts.

While no one but Johan knows exactly what he's willing to settle for, insiders believe he can and should nail a contract exceeding Barry Zito's seven-year, $126 million deal he received as a free agent from the San Francisco Giants last year. This would put the two-time Cy Young winner roughly $50 million or more out of the Twins budget.

Since the club refuses to grant Santana the six-year extension (including 2008) that he wants, the two sides have agreed to begin exploring trade options.

Sweet.

Twins closer Joe Nathan, who will also become a free agent after next season, is sizing up the club's moves, as well.

"If they're going to get rid of two players like [Hunter and Santana], we better have some darn good players to fill their spots," he told the Pioneer Press. "They better get a really good package for [Santana] and get some guys ready to play now."

Since it's obvious that huge contracts are far outside of the Twins' economics, Nathan is under the impression that he only really has another year there.

[MLB Trade Rumors]

Twins Make Johan Santana a Weak Offer

Nearly three years ago, Johan Santana signed a four-year contract with the Minnesota Twins worth a measly $40 million. Now, in the final year of his contract, the club has reportedly offered to double Johan's salary with a five-year deal worth $93 million.

Is that enough for the best pitcher in baseball? Not on the open market, it's not. But it's all the Twins can afford. In the midst of a free agent mess in Minnesota, how badly Johan wants to stick around the Twins Cities area will be apparent if he accepts this proposition.

Santana went 15-13 with the struggling Twins offense this year, posting a 3.33 ERA and 235 strikeouts. He is a career 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA in eight seasons, all with the Twins.

Author's note: I love the Twins and I love Johan Santana. Please, please, please, please Baby Jesus, let this deal go down.

[Star Tribune]

Monroe to Compete With the Jasons

The Jasons have long been regarded as sucktastic by yours truly, so some new blood is a welcome sight to this girl.

The Minnesota Twins added Craig Monroe's veteran bat Tuesday, acquiring the outfielder from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later.

The 30-year-old struggled at the plate this season, batting .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBI in 122 games between the Cubs and Detroit Tigers... but that's okay since the other two Twins left fielders -- Jason Tyner and Jason Kubel -- drove in 77 runs combined.

Even though Monroe is a career .256 hitter with just 104 homers in parts of seven seasons, this is a step up.

[Chicago Tribune]

So Long, Torii Hunter

Minnesota Twins center fielder and fan favorite Torii Hunter filed for free agency Monday, breaking my heart and becoming one of the most sought-after players on the market this offseason.

The Twins have 15 days to make me a happy woman and negotiate exclusively with the six-time gold-glover, before he hits the open market on November 13th... which is the likely scenario.

Hunter has made it clear that he would love to keep playing with the Twins -- the team that drafted him as an 18-year-old boy in 1993 -- but they've found it nearly impossible to afford the five-year deal he is looking for.

Keeping him will cost the organization an arm and a leg, and considering it would suck to have only one arm and one leg, they won't be offering him a contract. With Johan Santana set to become a free agent after the 2008 season and my Canadian Crusher sure to see dollar signs in arbitration, they have to make some tough calls on who stays and who goes.

In his contract season, Torii had a career year at the plate, hitting .287 with 28 longballs and 107 RBIs.

In other Minnesota news, the club exercised dynamite closer Joe Nathan's 2008 option for $6 million and starting pitcher Carlos Silva filed for free agency, as well. Good riddance, buddy.

[MLB.com] | [Biz of Baseball] | [Twins Territory]

The Long-Awaited Return of Franchise

Good news out of Twins Territory this weekend, as once-rookie phenom Francisco Liriano is throwing at full-speed during bullpen sessions -- even using that nasty slider -- and is on track to return in time for the start of spring training.

Liriano is doing better than expected at this point in his recovery from 2006 Tommy John Surgery. Depending on his spot in the rotation, the 1-2 punch of Liriano and Johan Santana may finally be reunited in 2008.

[Rotowire] | [Twins Insider] | [Josh's Thoughts]

It's the End of the World as We Know It

We all know the pain of Elimination. Some of us know it better than others.

But when the calendar turns to April and we feel like school girls in love, nothing will stop our team from winning the World Series. THIS IS OUR YEAR, DAMN IT.

May and June pass, and before you can say "player to be named later," the Mid Summer Classic is upon us. Some of our teams are enjoying a bountiful season, brimming with milestones and exciting acquisitions. Others are plagued by injuries and traumatic events, or clawing their way out of the cellar, just trying to avoid the sweep.

Then there are the pure, unadulterated shenanigans that no one can believe even went down... dawg.

Still, we love our team into August and September, when time begins to run out. Abruptly, it ends: our boys of summer are golfing in the Keys and we're staring down the impending loss of quality free agents and another quiet year at the Winter Meetings.

As a Minnesota Twins fan, I am spitefully elated by the doom that the Detroit Tigers face with just 5 games remaining in their season. After Carlos Silva and the Twins took the first of a three-game series in Detroit Monday, the Tigers are hoping for nothing short of a miracle to get into the playoffs this year, sitting 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card race.

Muuuahahahahahahahaha...

Thank Baby Jesus For Football.

[New York Times]

A Sad Day in Twins Territory

Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan is stepping down this afternoon.

The club, who is out of the playoff race after winning the Central Division title four out of the last six seasons, has called a news conference to announce a "major reorganization of their baseball operations," in which the news about Ryan will officially be reported.

Ryan has taken some crap for signing a bunch of worthless nobodies this season and burning up some payroll, but for the majority of his tenure, he's had a hand in making a contender out of a club with just under a $71.5 million payroll.

Thirteen-year vice president and assistant GM Bill Smith will succeed Ryan, who will be his senior adviser.

[Star Tribune]