Twins Rumors

Yankees In On Sano?

By | June 13, 2009 at 1:43pm CDT

You've heard the name plenty around these parts over the past few weeks. Miguel Angel Sano, a 16-year-old infield prospect from the Dominican Republic, has been linked to the Pirates, Indians, Orioles and Twins.

Now it appears the Yankees have jumped into the bidding. As ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure reported through his Twitter account this afternoon, Brian Cashman and Co. believe they have a "50/50" chance of landing the phenom.

It all comes down to dollars and cents, however, and the Yanks are actually practicing fiscal responsibility. That may come as a surprise, but keep in mind that throwing millions of dollars at a kid who just hit the legal driving age is a monstrous gamble. The Pirates are reportedly preparing an offer around $4MM, and it doesn't sound like the Yankees are willing to go that high. As Arangure continued in his "tweet," if the price was $3MM, "then yes."

Pirates, Twins Are Sano’s Top Suitors

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 12, 2009 at 3:09pm CDT

ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. hears that the Pirates may not offer Miguel Angel Sano as much as $3MM, let alone $4MM. The Pirates are still tracking Sano closely, and, along with the Twins, they're the frontrunners to sign the 16-year-old shortstop once July 2nd comes around. The Orioles recently worked Sano out, but they are not expected to beome serious bidders.

Here are some more rumors about the international free agent market:

Padres director of international scouting Randy Smith says he hopes to acquire one "big-name" international player.
Daniel Sanchez is a player to watch; Arangure says some consider him the year's best Latin American pitcher.

Odds And Ends: Draft, Francoeur, Crede

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 12, 2009 at 12:10pm CDT

Odds & Ends: Rockies, Mariners, Astros

By Eddie Schmid | June 10, 2009 at 5:55pm CDT

Some linkage as we enter the post-draft hangover, with more to come:

Troy E. Renck at the Denver Post offers up his theories for the Rockies' reasoning behind choosing Tyler Matzek–a potentially tough sign.
According to Ryan Divish at the Tacoma Tribune News, RHP Denny Stark, who was designated for assignment on Sunday by the Mariners, has cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Tacoma.
So says Zachary Levine at the Houston Chronicle, the Astros have outrighted RHP Geoff Geary to Triple-A Round Rock. He can report there or opt to become a free agent.
La Velle E. Neal III at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has a handy rundown of all the Twins' picks. Troy E. Renck has a nice one for the Rockies, too.
Chico Harlan at the Washington Post has a transcript of the press conference with Mike Rizzo and new pick Drew Storen.
Keith Law at ESPN has a video recap of the high school talent in this year's draft.

Twins Interested In LaTroy Hawkins

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 10, 2009 at 9:55am CDT

According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Twins are "seriously interested" in acquiring LaTroy Hawkins. In the absence of Jose Valverde, Hawkins has collected eight saves and struck out nearly a batter per inning as the Astros closer. He makes $3.5MM this year and will become a free agent after the season.

The Twins have a bullpen ERA of 4.16 in 175.1 innings and Minnesota relievers are striking out nearly two batters for every one they walk (137/70 K/BB). R.A. Dickey, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier have been especially effective backing Joe Nathan.

Problem Positions For Contenders

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 9, 2009 at 3:53pm CDT

SI.com's Tom Verducci applauds Braves GM Frank Wren for making a deal early in the summer and suggests early deals for five other teams with obvious needs. Verducci doesn't suggest deals like these will happen, but he offers them up as possible fits:

The Twins could improve at second base. What about Freddy Sanchez, Clint Barmes or Jamey Carroll?
The Giants aren't getting much production from Travis Ishikawa at the plate, though the plus/minus system ranks him as the best defensive first baseman in the league. Verducci wonders if the Giants would use Jonathan Sanchez to acquire a player such as Jorge Cantu, Nick Johnson, Miguel Tejada or Garrett Atkins.
The Mets would look much better with Brad Hawpe, Matt Holliday or even Mark DeRosa roaming the outfield.
Ryan Spilborghs could help the White Sox in the outfield, as one reader suggested in today's chat.
The Reds could use help in the outfield and at third base. Mark DeRosa can only play one position at a time, but he could be a useful addition for Cincinnati.

Would these suggestions work? Many of the players Verducci lists aren't on the block yet, but what if they were available?

Draft Updates: Jays, Twins, White Sox

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 4, 2009 at 11:30am CDT

Let's take a look at what the Jays, Twins and White Sox are saying about the draft:

MLB.com's Jordan Bastian says James Paxton is an "intriguing possibility" for the Jays with their 20th pick, but says his agent, Scott Boras, probably takes the Jays "out of the mix." Drew Storen and Chad Jenkins could be options for Toronto, which has five of the first 104 picks.
As MLB.com's Kelly Thesier reports, the Twins are expected to draft a young arm with the 22nd pick in the draft.
The White Sox, who follow the Twins at 23rd overall, have five of the first 102 picks. Last year's first round pick, Gordon Beckham, is about to debut for the Sox. This time around MLB.com's Scott Merkin suggests we shouldn't be surprised if they go for a "leadoff-type athletic outfielder."

MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has all three teams taking high schoolers in his latest mock draft. He has outfielder Everett Williams going to the Jays, pitcher Matt Hobgood going to the Twins and outfielder Michael Trout going to the White Sox.

Rosenthal On A’s, Hart, Byrd

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 2, 2009 at 12:10pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports argues that now is not the time for the A's to shop their veteran hitters. Here are the details and some other rumors from his column:

Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi and Orlando Cabrera have low trade value because they're hitting poorly so Rosenthal says it wouldn't make sense to trade the veterans away now. Instead, the A's could hold onto Holliday and obtain compensation picks or deal him if he keeps hitting better.
Orlando Hudson wanted to join the Mets this offseason, but he understands why Luis Castillo's manning second base for them.
Rosenthal wonders why AL teams aren't going after Jake Fox as a DH.
The two clubs that called the Brewers on the weekend to see if Milwaukee really was making Corey Hart available heard that he is not on the block.
Paul Byrd has yet to hear from anyone.
Mark Mulder could be ready to return after the All-Star Break.
Delmon Young "surfaced on the Braves' radar," but just briefly. An unnamed GM said acquiring Young would be a bad move when free agent hitters could be just as productive.
The Blue Jays are more likely to pursue a left-handed slugger than a number two starter.

Joe Mauer’s Next Contract

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 30, 2009 at 1:07pm CDT

If the Twins don't sign him to an extension, Joe Mauer will hit the free agent market after 2010 as a 27-year-old catcher with at least two batting titles and two All-Star Game selections to his name. Already, some writers are starting to speculate on the sort of contract Mauer could command. In the last week heavyweights Peter Gammons and Nick Cafardo both suggested Mauer could sign a deal worth over $180MM and Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press made a similar suggestion today. Here are some of the reasons Mauer could command the biggest contract in baseball history not signed by Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter.

At 27, Mauer will have plenty of good years left when he becomes a free agent. Remember Jorge Posada signed a four-year deal after his age 35 season.
Most teams- we'll exclude those with talented young catchers like the Orioles, Braves and Dodgers- could upgrade at catcher. This should leave Mauer with many suitors, including high bidders like the Red Sox and possibly the Yankees.
Most importantly, he's one of the game's best players. Even if you set aside his Bonds-esque 2009 OPS of 1.344, he's always had good strikeout to walk ratios and entered this year with a career OPS of .856.
Throw in his defense and teams will be lining up for Mauer.

But a lot has to go right for him to be in a position to command close to $200MM.

He has to stay healthy.
Since he's most appealing as a catcher, teams will have to be confident that Mauer can catch long-term if they're going to offer him Mark Teixeira-type money.

Odds & Ends: DeRosa, Bruney, Cooper

By Tim Dierkes | May 28, 2009 at 8:44am CDT

Let's kick it off today with some odds and ends.

RotoAuthority discusses responding to lame trade offers in your fantasy league.
Reliever Mike MacDougal will join the Nationals tomorrow, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Who knows, he could be closing for them by next week.
Talking to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune, Cubs GM Jim Hendry defended the Mark DeRosa trade. Here is my problem with it: it was a financially-motivated deal made by a big-market team, and did not bring back players who could help in 2009.
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the White Sox acquired journeyman minor league infielder Anderson Machado from the Pirates for a player to be named later.
Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the Jody Gerut for Tony Gwynn Jr. swap. DePodesta's third bullet point, money, had to be the overriding factor given Gwynn's negligible value around the league.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle sees Bobby Crosby as perhaps a more pressing trade situation for the A's than Matt Holliday.
Dr. James Andrews found no structural damage in Brian Bruney's elbow, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Given the uncertainty, though, a bullpen acquisition would still make sense.
It looks like the writing is on the wall for Astros manager Cecil Cooper. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle lists his offenses.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is skeptical the Cardinals will make a big move.
Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus agrees that the Pirates are the favorite for Dominican talent Miguel Angel Sano, and says the Rays, Cubs, A's, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rangers, and Twins are also after him. It's speculated by McDaniel and elsewhere that the Pirates could budget less toward their fourth overall pick in June to compensate for Sano. John Perrotto of Inside Pittsburgh Sports says they like Kyle Gibson, Aaron Crow, Bobby Borchering, and Wil Myers. Tanner Scheppers did not give the Bucs permission to redraft him.

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