The Twins signed right-hander Kyle Waldrop, catcher Jair Fernandez and outfielder Juan Portes to minor league deals, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (Twitter links). Twins minor leaguers Jacque Jones, Brock Peterson, Matt Macri, Tim Lahey, Mike Maroth and D'Angelo Jimenez hit free agency.
Infield Fly
Wow, Jacque Jones is still alive!
twins33
Yep, he still is. He started off pretty well in the minors too, but then got worse. I wouldn’t think he’d get more than another minor league deal next year, if he still wants to play.
Jacque wasn’t great, but I will never forget what he and the 2002 team did. I was at the exhibition game at Target Field where he got a standing O. I’m pretty sure everyone got chills.
$1529282
Absolutely. One of the best moments of the season and it was before Opening Day even came. Jacque said it was one of the best moments of his entire career. Teared up both games and had to take a minute to collect himself before the at-bat.
I’ve seen Jacque take some big swings, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him try to hit a home run that much before, haha.
gutsgutslifelife
Man, I had no idea D’Angelo Jimenez was still playing. Sure enough, and he’s only about to turn 33 in December.
start_wearing_purple
Mike Maroth is still pitching professionally?
boyofsummer
I believe he’s making a pitch for used cars.
twins33
I think he only played in like 4 minor league games and then his arm fell off or something.
$1529282
Waldrop should definitely be added to the 40-man. He could have a chance to help out with the bullpen as soon as this year even. Depends what we do with a lot of the pending FAs, and Slama deserves a full shot before him, but Waldrop is certainly an option.
twins33
Agreed, I think he’s ready to help and fill one of the holes.
curiouskris
When will 40 man rosters be set?
start_wearing_purple
Well I think they don’t really need to be set until sometime in Spring Training, but anyone the team wants to make sure they keep needs to be on the 40 man roster before the rule 5 draft. Rule 5 draft happens at the end of the winter meetings in December.
twins33
Now I’m drawing a blank for 1st baseman after Morneau & Cuddyer. I’m hoping Brock comes back, I think he did once before. Otherwise the Twins need to get a RH bat off the bench who can also play 1st…and hopefully hit lefties!
Bryz
I believe the Twins announced that knuckleballer Charlie Zink was also released.