 |
|
|
| |
« Latest Johan Santana Rumors | Main | Odds and Ends: Mench, Patterson »
Twin Sign Craig Monroe
UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 8:05pm: Jerry Crasnick says Monroe will get $3.82MM plus incentives based on plate appearances. Joe Christensen notes that it's a non-guaranteed contract.
FROM 12-11-07 at 4:49pm:
A brief note, the Twins have signed outfielder Craig Monroe. They were planning on non-tendering him if they couldn't get him to sign for '08 at less than the $4.8MM he earned in '07.
It's hard to figure out where exactly Monroe fits in now that the Twins have Delmon Young. He's kind of too pricey to be a bench guy but there's no clear starting role for him.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b9a69e2010534ba7029970c
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Twin Sign Craig Monroe:
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
I'd rather have Craig Monroe at this $2.865M contract than Rondell White! They'll get him 350 ABs or so ... LF/RF and some time as DH against LHP's. I think this will be mutually beneficial since Monroe struggles in an everyday role, but he can offer right-handed power and above-average defense as a bench player. He's not going to be a difference maker, but he'll do his part. I like this move.
Posted by: AJ | December 11, 2007 at 05:05 PM
I hope Monroe is just going to be a reserve outfielder. The Twins have plenty of payroll room for next year(pending a Santana trade), and they work on a yearly budget, so I'm not worried about his relatively high price.
Posted by: MikeTwins | December 11, 2007 at 05:14 PM
Since the Twins signed Monroe they now have to send a PTBNL to the Cubs to finalize the trade.
Posted by: wagunk27 | December 11, 2007 at 05:54 PM
This may mean that they will move Cuddyer back to third. That would improve the offense from last year (Monroe for Punto). I am still hoping that they upgrade the offense with Santana/Nathan trades. Liriano/Neshek should be passable substitutes. Plus, any trade should bring back at least one front line pitcher.
Posted by: New York Twin | December 11, 2007 at 05:58 PM
I think this does mean that Cuddy will move back to the hot corner. Craig is a good clubhouse guy and a guy will do the little things. I like this signing. He signed for 2.86M? Not a bad deal at all!!
Posted by: Bleacher_Buddha | December 11, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Yeah I think the Twins would be far better off with Cuddy at third and Monroe in the outfield, rather than Punto at third and Cuddyer in the outfield.
Not really sure why they wouldn't prefer to spend that money on a centerfielder though, unless they're convinced they can get one in the Santana talks, i.e. Melky, Ellsbury or Crisp.
Posted by: scribbletone | December 11, 2007 at 06:15 PM
Asked if the Twins have talked about moving right fielder Michael Cuddyer back to third base, Smith said, "I think at this time our strong preference is to leave him right where he's at. He can handle right field ... and we need to go find a third baseman.", copied from Christenson from Star Tribune.
Not that it's set in stone, but this is pretty recent I think, and it's pretty much a vote of non-confidence for Cuddyer at 3B.
Posted by: zs190 | December 11, 2007 at 06:26 PM
He did nothing for us with the Cubs. It is an ok move if he can get some ABs and spot starts. Maybe he can turn it around with the Twins.
Posted by: Oh Boy | December 11, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Anyone have a link to somewhere stating that Monroe got 2.865 million? I can't find that information anywhere.
Posted by: MikeTwins | December 11, 2007 at 06:38 PM
Contract is worth 3.82 million, but isn't guaranteed.
http://nc.startribune.com/blogs/christensen/?p=443
Posted by: MikeTwins | December 11, 2007 at 06:46 PM
zs190, thanks for the Cuddy info. I'm surprised I would think that considering the options out there, that the Twins would be considering a Cuddyer return to third base.
Posted by: scribbletone | December 11, 2007 at 06:59 PM
...It's easy to just say that Delmon will be a star because he has posted big numbers in the minors and has elite tools...I think most statheads just hand him a starting OF job and wait for stats to pile up...
...but ballplayers are human beings first...and being people, there are personalities, a pecking order, and issues of motivation/competition going on on every ballclub...
...the Twins are really good at creating a lot of competition among their players by not entrenching guys at positions who might become lackadaisical and creating a sense of meritocracy...I think with Delmon, he's had motivational and focus issues in the past...and just getting any 4th OF wasn't going to cut it...to provide enuff competition for Delmon to actually fight for a spot you have to get a guy who tops Delmon in experience and is too good to be a strictly bench guy...and, in terms of salary, as the post above says, it is slightly above 4th OF level...I thik this is by design...
...for the Twins, the worst case scenario is not that bad...and the best case scenario is Delmon works hard toward an All-Star caliber year...
Posted by: basemonkey | December 11, 2007 at 07:07 PM
Monroe / Kubel platoon at DH
Posted by: maximumpotential | December 11, 2007 at 07:36 PM
I feel this is a fantastic signing. It provides a threat off the bench late in the game. The best pinch hitter the Twins had last year was. . . Luis Rodriguez? Lew Ford? Also he should be able to play almost everyday because the Twins got one of the worst production in the AL out of the DH position. Pretty sad when Jason Tyner is your DH most days. I predict he will play everyday, either LF/DH or a PH. The lineup had no power threat after Torii Hunter last year. This adds some depth.
Posted by: Lezard | December 11, 2007 at 07:47 PM
It's not as simple and slotting in cuddyer at 3b and have him put out his same production (.270 20+hr 90+rbi). I don't know if you remember but Cuddyer struggled a lot while playing 3b, then the next season was switched to right field and has produced good numbers since. It's hard to tell sometimes, but the slightest change can affect a player a lot. I'm a Twins and Brewers fan so Bill Hall is a good example too. Went from playing all infield positions and hitting well to playing CF which he had little experience and he couldn't get anything going.
All in all, you can't just throw a guy in a different position and expect him to produce his same numbers. I think it's in the best interest of the Twins to find a different 3b, or if anything, try talking Mauer into switching to 3b if his injuries continue.
Posted by: MillerTime | December 11, 2007 at 08:46 PM
i still think the twins should go after pedro feliz. i know, he has had some really bad obp and slugging % the last few years, but he is a defensive whiz at 3rd and averaged 20+ HR and 80+ RBI hitting low in the order in a huge pitcher's park AT&T. I think he could easily get 25 HR/90 RBI hitting 7th or 8th in the Twins lineup and play a stellar third.
Posted by: minnesotawins | December 11, 2007 at 10:57 PM