J.P. Hoornstra of the Orange County Register offers an interesting look at the dynamic between top Twins prospect Royce Lewis and special assistant to baseball operations Torii Hunter. It turns out that Hunter knew Lewis’s father for years, but had no idea his son was a baseball prodigy until after he was picked first overall by the Twins. In fact, neither Hunter nor the younger Lewis knew there was just one degree of separation between them in the form of the elder, William Lewis, who had Hunter’s personal cell phone number for years. Fast forward to now, and Hunter has his own relationship with Royce, the number one overall pick in the 2017 draft. In addition to baseball work, the two spent a week together at Hunter’s home in Dallas, where he reportedly gave Royce some tutoring and life skills advice.
More items concerning the Twins…
- Ervin Santana’s post-surgery comeback continues to drag on slowly, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports. The 35-year-old righty failed to reach 90 MPH even once during his 45-pitch live batting practice session in Florida this week. He’d at least managed that velocity in a two-start rehab stint last month, but had to be shut down after those starts in order to rebuild arm strength. There’s currently not a clear timetable for Santana’s return, which is surely disappointing for a Twins organization that once expected to see him back as early as April 20th.
- There’s uncertainty in the Twins organization as to whether they ought to be buyers or sellers at the July non-waiver trade deadline, writes Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. While the club certainly fancied themselves contenders amidst a mostly-weak AL Central division headed into the season, significant struggles of Jake Odorizzi, Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton, along with the absence of Jorge Polanco and the aforementioned Santana are among the reasons that Minnesota currently sits in third place with a 33-39 record – seven games behind the division-leading Indians. “We’re in an interesting spot; we’re trying to figure out who we are and what we should be doing,” Levine said on the subject. “There are so many teams that are clear-cut sellers and a handful that are clear-cut buyers. We’re more inclined to be patient right now and utilize a little more of the runway we have.”
- The Twins still haven’t signed their top draft pick, outfielder Trevor Larnach. Berardino points out that they’d be likely to sign him under slot considering they went a combined $717K over slot for their picks in rounds 4, 5, 9 and 10. Larnach’s slot comes with a value of $3.12MM.
Larnach is playing in the College World Series, btw. He’ll sign when that’s over
They’re rebuilding and should be sellers. But the only 2 players they have that teams might want are Rosario and Berrios. Escobar is a Zobrist-type rental. The rest of their veterans are coming back from injuries, or having below-average years. They’re sort of like the Mets, Rangers, Orioles (minus Manny) and 5 other teams.
As usual, Dayton Moore read the market well and got something decent for Herrera while he could. The market is flush with revilers. It’s a buyers market. Most contenders will not overpay. Theo Epstein is an exception – he has a history of building up a farm system, keeping a handful of players, running the farm system into the ground by trading for that years shiny veteran(s), then being forced to overpay each year for overrated free agents as he has no one coming up to play or trade. Finally the owner intervenes. He should sign Manny – cause playing home games in a bandbox park, he likes middle infielders that can hit. I’ve been watching some Oriole games the past few weeks. Manny is a sub-par ML SS. Flashy, but no range at all. Perfect for Epstein and Maddon.
Where would Manny play in Chicago? Over Addison Russell or Javier Baez? Or move him back to third over Kris Bryant. In 840 career games Manny has only played SS in 125.
“Where would Manny play in Chicago? Over Addison Russell or Javier Baez?”
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He will play SS in Chicago, because he’s FA and will insist on playing SS to sign.
And you didn’t read what I wrote – Epstein puts offensive teams together to play in a bandbox ballpark. He is a stat guy that figures guys that are not as good on defense will out hit their sub-standard defensive play.
Contrast him with Dayton Moore. The Royals play in a large park where quality defense turns games. Earlier in the week he traded Herrera for 3 minor leaguers. He noted in a press conference that the 3B and CF could develop into elite defenders. To Moore, defense (and playing strong fundamentals) is the priority. To Epstein/Maddon…….not so much
When the Red Sox won in 2004, the tipping point was getting Orlando Cabrera from the Expos around the deadline to play a strong defensive SS. But after the season Epstein let Cabrera go, because the shiny Edgar Renteria was available – a better hitting SS. But he was not steady at SS, nor was he a smart player that did the little things that helped win games as Cabrara had done. The Red Sox regressed.
In 2006 Epstein overpaid to sign FA Julio Lugo to play SS. Joe Maddon had Lugo with the Rays where he taught him to pad the right statistics. I watched Lugo play SS in LA during 2005. He was awful. Constantly killing rallies and not making plays at SS. But the Dodgers were paying him good money, so he kept playing. Most fans in the area figured he’d have to take less money and be a utility player. But along came Theo, giving him a big raise and the SS job.
Manny Machado is not as bad as Lugo. But while he’s very good and goes on streaks, he is not an elite player. As with Bryce Harper, some GM is going to win the off-season this coming winter agreeing to a long-term excessive contract with Manny’s agent…..that will later cost said GM his job.
I haven’t seen that much bovine fecal material since my days working the farm. For a guy who doesn’t seem to have any actual baseball knowledge you sure do use a lot of words. Keep it up! Law of averages says if you write that much you will trip over a correct opinion eventually.
I’d take Manny Machado over Bryce Harper. I think Machado’s defense will improve but, his range is not that bad now. He’s leading MLB SSs in Put Outs and 10th in Assists.
I also want to point out that the BoSox of 04 also acquired 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to help shore up the defense. Prior to that, 1B/RF Kevin Millar, 2B Mark Bellhorn and SS Nomar Garciaparrra were not dependable. That team peaked during the post-season, especially the SPs.
Rosario has no reason to move. He still time.unless there is something great on the table.
It’s tough, but starters and pen should move. Dozier and Mauer are likely position wise. Mighty Mouse too. He will help any team.
I hate that they should make a move, but they are struggling against bad teams and are good against great teams. That’s a selling point. Twins can compete against playoff teams with the same players coming up big.
Chances are they get swept by the sox and beat the cubs.
So true about the bad teams versus good teams splits. They’ve won series against the Astros, Indians, and Red Sox but have struggled against the Rays, Reds, and Rangers. It’s just a mess.
The Twins are still rebuilding. Last season was a surprise but, this one is too but in the opposite direction.
Let’s get serious. The Twins are not going to win the AL Central. Rosario and Berrios have been able to carry them to this mediocre spot. These type of comments by GM’s are laughable.
I find it funny that people think the Twins are going to trade Rosario or Berrios. I don’t think would be in their best interest to do so because they’re some of our young and brightest stars. I think we need to see if we can somehow ship Escobar to a team that is looking to fill an injury or needs a utility player that has a bat. I believe we could fetch a decent return for him in at least. But seeing as how Sano has struggled this year, it might be best to hold onto him.
If we are to make the playoffs, we’ll squeak in as a wildcard team. Then if we win we’ll end up playing the Yankees like we always do.