Twins Rumors

Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Brewers, Willis, Guardado

By Luke Adams 2 | March 21, 2010 at 2:23pm CDT

Links for Sunday….

The Cardinals are considering Adam Ottavino, their 2006 first-round pick, as an option for the bullpen, writes Derrick Goold. The 24-year-old has improved his delivery and hurled 8.1 innings so far this spring, allowing just one run with five strikeouts, though he also has five walks to go along with them.
The Brewers will have some decisions to make this week on players such as Jim Edmonds, Matt Treanor, and Scott Schoeneweis, writes MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Each signed a minor league deal with an out clause. McCalvy opines that "it would be a surprise" if Edmonds didn't factor into the Crew's 2010 Major League plans.
Lynn Henning of the Detroit News thinks that the Tigers will release Dontrelle Willis in the near future.
Eddie Guardado hasn't officially announced his retirement, but he tells Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas "I think I'm done." Durrett reports that, even if Guardado doesn't pitch again, the lefty would like to stay in baseball in some capacity.
The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo has a few interesting notes in his latest column. He names Jake Westbrook as an intriguing trade-deadline pitching option, and says that Mark Mulder could still work toward a comeback this season.
The Rangers may try to trade for a utility infielder, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post doesn't think it's a foregone conclusion that Adrian Gonzalez will be playing in Fenway Park by August.
Heath Bell, another Padre who has been the subject of trade rumors, is staying in San Diego for the time being, according to Dan Hayes of the North County Times. The Bell-to-Minnesota rumors have been swirling lately, following the news of Joe Nathan's season-ending injury.
For the latest updates on Bell, and the rest of the closing situations around baseball, be sure to follow our @closernews account on Twitter.

The Latest On Mike Lowell

By Luke Adams 2 | March 21, 2010 at 10:16am CDT

Although a Mike Lowell trade isn't the sure thing it once seemed, there's still a chance that a deal could be completed, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald.

Silverman mentions four teams that are possible landing spots for Lowell: the Astros, Marlins, Rangers, and Twins. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders if the White Sox could be added to that list as well. Each of these teams has potential question marks at first base or designated hitter, or just could use another right-handed bat.

Alex Speier of WEEI speculates that the Marlins' willingness to return Jorge Jimenez to the Red Sox could signal that Florida's need for a corner infielder isn't that strong. If the team feels confident enough in either Gaby Sanchez or Logan Morrison at first base that they'd cut Jimenez, that could mean a diminished interest in Lowell as well.

Lowell will, of course, have display good health before any club thinks about acquiring him. Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston tweets that the Rangers, among other teams, are scouting Lowell today. The 36-year-old is scheduled to play third base for the first time this spring.

Joe Nathan To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

By Luke Adams 2 | March 21, 2010 at 9:03am CDT

Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, according to Kelsie Smith of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter). Nathan played a game of catch today, and decided afterward that his right elbow required surgery.

Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune writes that Nathan hasn't decided yet where or when he'll have the surgery, but hopes to get it done as soon as possible, aiming to be ready to pitch by Opening Day 2011.

In the meantime, the injury will leave the Twins with a gaping hole in the ninth inning, a spot Nathan had dominated over the past few years. Since joining Minnesota, Nathan has been perhaps the most effective closer in baseball, recording a 1.87 ERA since 2004, with an average of 41 saves per season.

To replace Nathan, the Twins could use an in-house candidate such as Jon Rauch or Matt Guerrier. Or, they could look to make a trade. We've already heard that they might be interested in Heath Bell and Jason Frasor. Now that there's no question that Nathan will miss the 2010 campaign, the team's search for a replacement could become more aggressive.

Odds & Ends: Crawford, Alvarez, Mauer, Aumont

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 19, 2010 at 3:11pm CDT

Some links for your Friday…

Tom Verducci of SI.com said on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan show that he expects Carl Crawford to sign with the Yankees after the season, because "nobody is going to outbid them." The Yankees and Red Sox both love Crawford, according to Verducci.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Dodgers should spend more aggressively, especially considering they led the league in attendance last year.
Alex Speier of WEEI.com points out that Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, Bill Hall and Jeremy Hermida will combine to make only $10MM or so less than the entire Pirates team this year. Why is that noteworthy? All four Red Sox are expected to be bench players.
Cubs GM Jim Hendry is under contract through 2012, but he tells ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that he knows "these jobs aren't forever."
The Pirates say Pedro Alvarez needs seasoning above AA, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sending the third baseman to the minors limits his MLB service time, so it's a sound financial decision by the Pirates.
The A's haven't called Joe Beimel, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The A's worked out Wagner Mateo on Tuesday, according to Slusser.
ESPN.com’s Buster Olney thinks that the Joe Mauer contract negotiations, which remain cordial, could continue in a few months if the sides don’t reach a deal in Spring Training.
The Dominican prospect already worked out for the D'Backs and will likely work out for the Indians.
Twins minor league director Jim Rantz told Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that another Dominican prospect, Miguel Sano, has "tremendous upside." Kovacevic says it's still too early to know how much the Pirates missed out on when Sano signed with the Twins instead of the Pirates.
Phillies prospect Phillippe Aumont tells Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun that he thought he was heading to the Blue Jays at one point this offseason.
Carl Crawford tells Tyler Kepner of the New York Times that he's comfortable with the speculation about his future since it "comes with the territory." Crawford is a free agent after the season.

Heyman On Mauer, Beckett, Lowell

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 19, 2010 at 2:10pm CDT

Jon Heyman of SI.com expects Joe Mauer and Josh Beckett to re-sign with their current teams. Here are the details from his latest column:

Heyman hears that Joe Mauer and the Twins are willing to work on an extension once the season begins. Apparently Mark Teixeira's eight-year $180MM deal is a comparable for the Mauer talks.
According to a person involved in the talks, Beckett is seeking slightly more than the five-year $82.5MM deal John Lackey signed.
Heyman doesn't think the Red Sox can expect the Marlins to pay as much as of Mike Lowell's salary as the Rangers agreed to take on in December. The Rangers were going to take on $3MM of the infielder's $12MM salary before concerns about Lowell's thumb emerged.

Twins Eyeing Heath Bell

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 19, 2010 at 9:22am CDT

The Twins are scouting Heath Bell extensively for a possible trade, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). Closer Joe Nathan may have to undergo Tommy John surgery, so the Twins are looking at possible replacements, including Bell and Blue Jays reliever Jason Frasor.

The Twins won't necessarily have to make a trade at all, though. Nathan will throw Saturday, Sunday or Monday and the Twins will have a clearer sense of his ability to pitch with a torn ulnar collateral ligament after his bullpen session.

Bell led the National League with 42 saves last year. He posted 10.2 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 69.2 innings. The 32-year-old righty makes $4MM this year and won't be a free agent until after 2011.

Odds & Ends: Weathers, Towers, Span

By Tim Dierkes | March 16, 2010 at 12:58pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

I'm excited to be joining an online league in Fanball's National Fantasy Baseball Championship; take a look at all the events they have planned. My NFBC league drafts on March 28th.
David Weathers hasn't ruled out pitching in 2010, according to Gregg Dewalt of The Times Daily. Weathers would consider pitching for a contender, but said, "If no one calls in June or July, it's been a good ride."
Tom Krasovic examines Kevin Towers' strengths and weaknesses as a GM, and says he could see Towers with the Cubs down the line. Click here to download Brendan Bianowicz's Excel spreadsheet chronicling Towers' moves.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Yankees made a series of attempts to acquire Twins center fielder Denard Span in July of last year.
Rich Harden scoffs at negative reports about his early Spring Training velocity, reports Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He apparently looked better Monday.

Marlins Interested In Mike Lowell?

By Luke Adams 2 | March 15, 2010 at 9:58pm CDT

The Florida Marlins had scouts on hand to watch Mike Lowell's Grapefruit League debut at first base today, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Although the club's level of interest in the 36-year-old is unclear, Spencer entertains the notion of a possible reunion between the Marlins and their all-time home run leader.

Considering how minuscule their payroll is, it's hard to imagine the Marlins making a play for Lowell unless Boston is willing to take on virtually the entire $12MM that he'll make in 2010. As Spencer points out though, the corner infield situation in Florida is still in flux. Jorge Cantu is capable of manning either side of the diamond and is penciled in at third base for now, while unproven youngsters Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez compete for the first base job.

Lowell looked solid in his debut, collecting a hit in two at-bats and playing three innings in the field. Of course, it'll take more than a single game to show that he's back to full health after battling thumb and hip issues. It was Lowell's thumb injury that resulted in a trade to Texas being called off earlier in the winter.

In that proposed deal, the Red Sox showed a willingness to pay a significant chunk ($9MM) of Lowell's salary. If Lowell displays good health this spring, and the Sox will still pay that price to move him, the Marlins and Twins could be among the teams interested.

Discussion: Andy Sonnanstine

By Luke Adams 2 | March 15, 2010 at 6:45pm CDT

No teams have formally inquired about trading for Andy Sonnanstine, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. However, the right-hander could become the topic of a few trade rumors before the season begins, given Tampa Bay's surplus of starting pitching.

Morosi tweets a few teams that could use another starting pitcher: the Diamondbacks, Mariners, Mets, Twins, Dodgers and Nationals. That list could easily double by Opening Day, with spring performances and injuries potentially raising depth concerns for a few more clubs.

The Rays shouldn't feel any pressure to deal Sonnanstine though. Even if there's no room for him in their rotation, their starting pitching depth is a luxury. As the FOX report suggests, the Rays could use Sonnanstine out of the bullpen as a long reliever, or even send him to Triple-A to start the year, since he has options remaining.

If you were running the Rays, what's your move here? Would you start shopping Sonnanstine, hoping to get some value in return? Or would you keep the right-hander around, providing insurance in case youngsters like Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson struggle?

The Latest On Jarrod Washburn

By Luke Adams 2 | March 15, 2010 at 6:23pm CDT

Don't rule out the possibility of Jarrod Washburn landing back in Seattle this year, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Washburn told FOX Sports last week that his chances of returning to the Mariners were "probably not great," but the club is still interested, according to Morosi's sources.

With Erik Bedard still recovering from shoulder surgery, the Mariners' rotation has some question marks behind its aces, Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee. Washburn spent most of the last four seasons in Seattle, posting a 2.64 ERA in 20 starts with the club last year before he was traded to the Tigers.

Morosi notes that Minnesota, the other club atop Washburn's wish list earlier this winter, may still be a suitor as well. Joe Nathan's health and the team's contingency plan will likely dictate their interest in Washburn. If Nathan's elbow requires surgery and the Twins decide to try Francisco Liriano as their closer, Morosi thinks Washburn could be a fit to fill out the Twins' rotation.

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