The Twins pounded out 20 hits en route to a 10-9 victory over the Angels today at Target Field. Josh Willingham hit his third homer in as many games for Minnesota, and Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau also went yard — the first time the duo have homered in the same game since July 6, 2010.
Here are some notes from around the majors…
- Torii Hunter hasn't had any discussion with the Angels about a contract extension but understands why, he tells Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. "I don't want to bother those guys," Hunter said. "They've had so much going on. I definitely feel no rush. It'd be nice (to get an extension offer) but if not, I understand….They have other guys like (Erick) Aybar they need to lock up. Plus they've got (Mike) Trout lying in the weeds." Hunter is a free agent after this season and will be 37 on Opening Day 2013. He said he wants to return the Angels, but if not, he wants to play for another contending team.
- Nez Balelo, Matt Garza's agent, is scheduled to be in Chicago during the Cubs' homestand, reports Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said that a potential long-term deal with Garza is the sort of "big-picture issue" that can't be measured by how Garza performs early this season or even throughout 2012.
- Separate ownership groups led by agents Dennis Gilbert and Arn Tellem could be interested in buying the Padres, reports Dan Hayes of the North County Times. A source tells Hayes that any potential buyer could bring a Padres legend like Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield or Steve Garvey to serve as the public face of the ownership group. Garvey is known to already be fronting a group that is interested in the Padres after falling short in a bid to buy the Dodgers.
- White Sox GM Kenny Williams discusses new manager Robin Ventura, several players and his expectations for the team as a whole for 2012 in a Q&A with the team's TV crew (transcribed on MLB.com).
- The well-traveled Wilson Betemit is playing for his seventh team in 10 years but is only focused on helping the Orioles, writes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- Andre Ethier is very focused on playing well in 2012 and putting himself in line for a big contract either with the Dodgers or with another club when he hits free agency this winter, sources tell ESPN Los Angeles' Tony Jackson.
Torii’s a class act guy. It’ll be tough if he does end up going to another team. He’s been nothing but positive for the Angels.
Except for the whole “fake black people” thing.
I’m not going to disdain him for being a moron, he was just ignorant about the situation. Still a classy guy and I’m sure anyone would go to war with him any day.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said that a potential long-term deal with Garza is the sort of “big-picture issue” that can’t be measured by how Garza performs early this season or even throughout 2012.
Sorry if i’m a bit slow but what does this mean? Are they going to sign Garza to a long-term contract? Like what Denzel Washington says in that movie Philadelphia: Explain it to me like a four-year-old.
it means they are still undecided at this point whether or not they are gonna shell out the big bucks and lock garza up. How he performs this season will determine the Cubs course of action.
Uhm, no. It says the exact opposite of that.
I obviously can’t say for sure what Theo was thinking, but I can only guess that he means there are other factors that will determine whether or not they extend Garza. Most likely one of the main factors would be how soon they think they can contend vs how long they think Garza will be effective; if they don’t think they will be able to compete for four year and they think Garza will be declining after three years (both simply examples) they may decide it doesn’t make sense for them to extend him.
Thanks Jeff, Baseball52 & MaineSox. Sorry I didn’t reply as quickly as possible.
It means that the Cubs are going to continue to lose every year, no matter what they do about Matt Garza.
You’re welcome Michael.
Torii Hunter = Bobby Abreu…bench Player next year
With Wells clogging up a spot, there’s just no room for Torii next year. Would be great if the Halos win it all this year so Torii gets his ring and then no real pressure to bring him back. I know it’s only the first week but they need to turn things around quick before the Rangers get to far ahead.
Torii will not get an extension, there are too many OF talents waiting. Now if only Wells can be traded…
While I think Torii’s a classy guy and still has talent, the only way the Angels can have a “real” daily line-up is next season when Torii and Bobby Abreu are gone.
Then, every day, we can have a line-up similar to this:
C – Iannetta
1B – Pujols
2B – Kendrick
SS – Aybar
3B – Trumbo
LF – Wells
CF – Bourjos
RF – Trout
DH – Morales
Would I rather have other players in the left field spot? Yes, but with so much guaranteed money there’s a slim chance they can or will ditch Wells. Ideally, i’d actually have Trumbo in left field and Callaspo at 3B.