Twins manager Ron Gardenhire joined 1500 ESPN's Talkin' Twins show last night and said the Twins are attempting to put together a team that can win even if Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau aren’t ready for Opening Day. “I think that's a pretty good idea,” Gardenhire said. “If we have those guys back on the field, which I believe we will… we'll have a heck of a baseball team." Here are more details on the Twins’ offseason plans, via Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com:
- The team has made offers to some of its current free agents. The Twins are “making a mad effort” to sign Michael Cuddyer and they’d “love to have” Jason Kubel back. However, re-signing both players isn’t necessarily realistic.
- Matt Capps struggled in 2011 and could bring the Twins a compensatory draft pick in 2012, but the team is working to re-sign him. Gardenhire would like to bring the right-hander back because he’s a “great teammate and a good pitcher” who pitched through pain in 2011, even though the results weren’t there and “people got frustrated with him.” The 28-year-old posted a 4.25 ERA with 4.7 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 65 2/3 innings in 2011 and his peripheral stats were significantly worse than they were in 2010.
- Gardenhire said his entire 2012 rotation is “not necessarily” on the Twins roster just yet.
If the Twins resign Capps I will no longer be watching the 9th inning of games. Money down the drain.
Dude, the Twins have a history of pulling pitchers out of nowhere. Just about every closer was, at one time, a failed starting pitcher. The Rays let just about their entire bullpen go last winter (and collected a boat load of draft picks for them). This is a good time for the Twins to do a complete makeover.
By just re-signing their guys from last year? I guess I’m not seeing what he meant by putting a heck of a team even without Mauer and Mourneau. They might be a failed starters, but he was a failed closer for them last year already.
By just re-signing their guys from last year? I guess I’m not seeing what he meant by putting a heck of a team even without Mauer and Mourneau. They might be a failed starters, but he was a failed closer for them last year already.
IF the Twins resign Capps it will be more of a result of the lack of depth in the Twins’ bullpen than the capability of Capps. Beyond Perkins, they don’t have much.
“…..even if Mauer & Morneau aren’t ready on opening day.” You gotta be kidding me. These two haven’t played since August!! Are they starting to mention this now to put a bug in our ear because they think they might not be ready to go in April???
When will there be morneaun about Justin’s status?
Did you just call Justin a moreaun?
Did you just call Justin a moreaun?
I think the Red Sox should sign Capps, but not as a closer. Maybe an eight inning or seventh inning guy. Could be a decent fit and a low-risk high reward type deal.
I don’t think it will be a low risk reward type deal. Capps wants to get paid.
I don’t think it will be a low risk reward type deal. Capps wants to get paid.
I think the Red Sox should sign Capps, but not as a closer. Maybe an eight inning or seventh inning guy. Could be a decent fit and a low-risk high reward type deal.
As long as Capps doesn’t close I will be alright with bringing him back
Aside from the possibility of resigning Cuddyer (a very good move!) ANY further moves the Twins front office makes towards acquisitions should be making the team younger. And I disagree with Gardenhire’s assessment of Capps potential & capability. He’s an undeniable liability at this point – he failed miserably far too many times last season to justify a return to the Twins bullpen. This is also the first I’ve heard about Capps “pitching through an injury” during last season. Count me as skeptical…
I heard it multiple times during the season
Outside of 2010, Capps has been nothing more than an average relief pitcher. He can be effective but when he gets in tough jams he implodes like a week old zit.
Outside of 2010, Capps has been nothing more than an average relief pitcher. He can be effective but when he gets in tough jams he implodes like a week old zit.
Limping along with this rotation again accomplishes nothing. Call the Astros on Wandy Rodriguez – they’ll gladly eat some of that contract and the Twins move a legit K/IP pitcher into Target Field. They’ve got the $$$ for it, why not?
Seriously, bring Anthony Slama up. He cannot be any worse than Alex Burnett.
Trade Gardenhire.
I agree…..rotation is the biggest need imo. If we don’t land Cuddyer, hopefully they’ll spend that $$ on a quality FA starter.