Rebuilding the Twins

[Kanonen80]

Hey Guys,


I am new to the game and this will be my first dynasty so you will have to bear with me. I guarantee I will make some bone-headed moves while I get used to the game but hey, no GM is perfect right? :-P


I'm going to take over the Minnesota Twins and try to rebuild them using their core of young studs. It looks like it might be a little rough in the beginning as my budget is fairly limited and my farm system is pretty weak. There are a few good pitching prospects, but that is it.


This write-up was started after 1 month of the season, so I'm not going to include all of my pre-season moves. The only major signing will be noted below. All of the other moves so far into the season have been pretty small (claiming minor leaguers of waivers, swapping of minor league prospects, etc). I've also dumped Adam Everett and Craig Monroe right off the bat since they did not fit into my plans.


Introduction:


After making the play-offs in 2006, the Minnesota Twins put up a meager record of 79-83 in 2007 failing to play .500 baseball for the first time since 2000. The offense was stagnant and the Twins pitching was far from spectacular, with the exception of Ace Johan Santana. It doesn't look good for the Twins this year either as hometown favorite Torii Hunter signed a huge contract with the Angels during the winter. Carlos Silva is also gone via Free Agency and to complete the decimation of the Twins pitching rotation Johan Santana was dealt to the New York Mets for young talent.


Twins owner Carl Pohlad decides to bring in new GM Danny Tucker to oversee this new rebuilding period. He tasks Tucker with restocking the ailing farm system while keeping the big league club around the .500 mark as they rebuild.


All-star Closer Joe Nathan and Right-fielder Michael Cuddyer were signed to extensions by the out-going GM and will join Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to be the core that Tucker will build the team around.


Tucker's first move is to sign veteran Kenny Lofton to a $3 million 1 year deal to patrol center as he does not feel that newly acquired Carlos Gomez is ready for full time duty yet. Gomez will spell the outfielders against lefties and will definitely get his hacks in.

[Kanonen80]

Starting Lineup


CF Kenny Lofton
41 years old
Bats: L
2007: .283 0 HR 15 RBI (CLE)
Contract: 1 year $3,000,000


LF Jason Kubel
25 years old
Bats: L
2007: .271 13 HR 65 RBI
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


RF Michael Cuddyer
29 years old
Bats: R
2007: .276 16 HR 81 RBI
Contract: 6 years $13,096,800/year


1B Justin Morneau
26 years old
Bats: L
2007: .271 31 HR 111 RBI
Contract: 1 year $7,078,200 (arbitration eligible)


2B Alexi Casilla
23 years old
Bats: S
2007: .222 0 HR 9 RBI
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


SS Brendan Harris
27 years old
Bats: R
2007: .286 12 HR 59 RBI (TB)
Contract: 1 year $968,800 (arbitration eligible)


3B Mike Lamb
32 years old
Bats: L
2007: .289 11 HR 40 RBI (HOU)
Contract: 2 years $9,964,000/year


C Joe Mauer
25 years old
Bats: L
2007: .293 7 HR 60 RBI
Contract: 1 year $3,808,000 (arbitration eligible)


Bench/DH


RF Delmon Young
22 years old
Bats: R
2007: .288 13 HR 93 RBI (TB)
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


CF Carlos Gomez
22 years old
Bats: R
2007: .232 2 HR 12 RBI (NYM)
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


SS Nick Punto
30 years old
Bats: S
2007: .210 1 HR 25 RBI
Contract: 2 years $441,000/year


C Mike Redmond
36 years old
Bats: R
2007: .294 1 HR 38 RBI
Contract: 2 years $567,000/year


RF Denard Span
24 years old
Bats: L
2007: AAA Rochester
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


Starting Rotation


SP Livan Hernandez
33 years old
Throws: R
2007: 11-11 4.93 ERA 90 K 204 IP
Contract: 2 years $418,200/year


SP Boof Bonser
26 years old
Throws: R
2007: 8-12 5.10 ERA 136 K 173 IP
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


SP Scott Baker
26 years old
Throws: R
2007: 9-9 4-26 ERA 102 K 143.2 IP
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


SP Nick Blackburn
26 years old
Throws: R
2007: 0-2 7.71 ERA 8 K 11.2 IP
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


SP Francisco Liriano
24 years old
Throws: L
2006: 12-3 2.16 ERA 144 K 121 IP
2007: Disabled List
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


Bullpen


RP Dennys Reyes
31 years old
Throws: L
2007: 2-1 3.99 ERA 21 K 29 IP
Contract: 3 years $2,583,000/year


RP Jesse Crain
26 years old
Throws: R
2007: 1-2 5.51 ERA 10 K 16.1 IP
Contract: 1 year $897,000 (arbitration eligible)


RP Juan Rincon
29 years old
Throws: R
2007: 3-3 5.13 ERA 49 K 59.2 IP
Contract: 1 year $410,000


RP Matt Guerrier
29 years old
Throws: R
2007: 2-4 2.35 ERA 68 K 88 IP
Contract: 1 year $2,835,900 (arbitration eligible)


SP J.D. Durbin
26 years old
Throws: R
2007: 6-5 6.06 ERA 40 K 56.1 IP 1 SV (ARI/PHI)
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


RP Pat Neshek
27 years old
Throws: R
2007: 7-2 2.94 ERA 74 K 70.1 IP
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


CL Joe Nathan
33 years old
Throws: R
2007: 4-2 1.88 ERA 77 K 71.2 IP 37 SV
Contract: 3 years $8,655,500/year (3^rd year is player option)

[Kanonen80]

April


Recap:
April saw the rebuilding Twins go 13-14 while taking a couple of hits in the injury department. The offense was fairly bland, while the pitchers would follow stellar outings with implosions their next time out. Scott Baker threw a complete game shutout against the Royals, but was hit hard the rest of the month.


Hot List:

1. SP Livan Hernandez: 5-1 3.25 ERA 28 K
2. SP Nick Blackburn: 3-1 2.65 ERA 23 K
3. 3B Mike Lamb: .324 7 HR 23 RBI
4. 1B Justin Morneau: .296 6 HR 22 RBI
   

Cold List:

1. 2B Alexi Casilla: .204 14 K 2 CS
2. C Joe Mauer: .253 4 HR 12 RBI
3. SP Scott Baker: 2-4 5.40 ERA 26K
4. RP Juan Rincon: 0-1 5.63 ERA 7K

Injuries:
LF Jason Kubel: Torn abdominal muscle (7-8 weeks)
SP Francisco Liriano: Strained Elbow Ligament (8 weeks)


Transactions:
Purchased the contract of Ron McCarthy from AAA Rochester:
LF Ron McCarthy
27 years old
Bats: R
2007: AAA Columbus
Contract : 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


Recalled David Canales from AAA Rochester
RP David Canales
25 years old
Throws: L
2008: 0-0 2.08 ERA 5 K 4.1 IP (LAA)
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


Notes:
The Twins call up Ron McCarthy and David Canales to replace the injured Jason Kubel and Francisco Liriano. Both were putting up good numbers in the short time they were in AAA Rochester and should be able to help the team. J.D. Durbin will slide into the rotation since he's spent a majority of his career as a starter. The Twins GM will be keeping a close eye on the offense too see if they can produce in the absence of Kubel's solid bat.

[Lawley]

[quote=Kanonen80;2553420]Starting Lineup


RF Michael Cuddyer
29 years old
Bats: R
2007: .276 16 HR 81 RBI
Contract: 6 years $13,096,800/year



13mill a year? realy or is that total over 6 years?

[Kanonen80]

Nope, that is per year; $78,580,800 total. That was the contract he came with when I started the game. I am probably going to be looking to move him at some point (maybe in the off season) since he's tying up so much of the payroll.

[Kanonen80]

May


Recap:
The Twins finished May two games over the .500 mark with a record of 15-13 on the month. Their 29-27 season record is good enough for first place in the AL Central with the second place Chicago White Sox at their heels at one-half game behind. Two unlikely heroes for the month were J.D. Durbin and Carlos Gomez. Both players came out of nowhere and posted great numbers with Gomez even earning “AL Rookie of the Month” honors.


Hot List:

1. SP J.D. Durbin: 3-0 2.65 ERA 28 K
2. CL Joe Nathan: 8 SV 0.82 ERA 12 K
3. CF Carlos Gomez: .345 5 HR 22 RBI
4. RF Michael Cuddyer: .297 4 HR 22 RBI
   

Cold List:

1. 2B Alexi Casilla: .167 7 K 3 RBI
2. SS Brendan Harris: .242 1 HR 5 RBI
3. SP Boof Bonser: 3-2 6.33 ERA 19K
4. RP Jesse Crain: 1-1 7.16 ERA 13K

Injuries:
No New Injuries


Transactions:
Demoted Ron McCarthy to AAA Rochester


Recalled Brian Buscher from AAA Rochester:
1B Brian Buscher
27 years old
Bats: L
2007: .244 2 HR 10 RBI
Contract : 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)


Claimed Luo-lang Ya off waivers from San Francisco


SP Luo-lang Ya
17 years old
Throws: R
2007: DNP in USA
Contract: 1 year $390,000 (renews after this year)
Scouting: Ya was signed as a free agent from Taiwan by the Giants. The Twins have to decided to take a chance on this kid; Head Scout Jose Tovar projects him to be a work horse with solid stuff as well as a positive force in the club-house.


Notes:
The Twins managed to stay injury free for the most part. Ron McCarthy was sent down to AAA Rochester to work out a few holes in his swing and to take his place the Twins recalled Brian Buscher. Since being called up he has posted some solid numbers: .272 AVG 3 HR 10 RBI.
Tucker was able to snag a young Taiwanese pitching prospect off the waiver wire this month after being convinced by his head scout Jose Tovar that Lou-lang Ya would be a future work horse and had the personality to be a clubhouse leader. The only downside is that Ya requires a spot on the 40-man roster due to the Major League contract San Francisco used to lure him over to the states.

[abbyrd]

Hey keep writing, I am in the second year of my Twins dynasty, having finished third in
'08 and signing free agent Carlos Zambrano in the offseason. I have always been a Cubs fan, but after moving to MPLS in 2004, I LOVE this team of no-ego, play hard, go-get 'em's with the Twins! I am hoping you keep the thread going!

Gardy for President!

[Kanonen80]

Note:

I had a period of down time and as a result, fell behind on my dynasty report. I've played through the entire 2008 season and am in the process of Spring Training '09 after making some off-season moves.

Comments on the 2008 Season:

In 2008 the Twins finished in 3rd place in the AL Central behind the Indians and White Sox. There were plenty of ups and downs throughout the year but it became obvious that the offense and defense would need some retooling in the off-season. While the bullpen performed very well, too much of the 2009 payroll would be tied up paying their salaries. To alleviate this problem, many of these reliable arms were traded away during the winter for young position players. Twin's GM Danny Tucker targeted young players that were under team control for several more years; these players also had to be able to provide steady offense with above average defense with versatility considered a big plus.

Notable 2008 Transactions:

Michael Cuddyer was sent to the Blue Jays for closer B.J. Ryan mid-season. This move was mostly made to dump salary after it became apparent that the Twins were not going to contend this year. Ryan will serve as a left-handed closer and possibly a trading piece this off-season. He will probably be easier to move than Cuddyer would be due to his cheaper contract.

Brian Buscher and Danny Valencia were sent to the Sanfrancisco Giants for younh starting pitcher Tim Lincecum. Lincecum is a young pitcher under team control for many years and it looks like he could have some devastating stuff. Buscher is getting old for AAA and only posted mediocre to average offence at the major league level and Valencia is a hit or miss thirdbase prospect.

Amando Galarraga was claimed off waivers. He projects to be a solid 4th or 5th starter and the organization is excited to have another young arm competing for a spot in the 2009 starting rotation.

[Kanonen80]

Notable (Good and Bad) 2008 Performances:

Justin Morneau: .291 AVG 32 HR 129 RBI .848 OPS
Delmon Young: .317 AVG 10 HR 66 RBI .805 OPS (495 AB)
Alexi Casilla: .231 AVG 8 HR 47 RBI .617 OPS (432 AB)
Scott Baker: 17-12 3.55 ERA 35 BB 136 K 3 CG 2 SHO
Francisco Liriano: 11-5 3.43 ERA 51 BB 138 K (133 IP)
Joe Nathan: 27 SV 2.61 ERA 17 BB 57 K (51.2 IP)
Boof Bonser: 6-8 5.77 ERA 42 BB 81 K (115 IP)


Winter 2008-2009 Contract Negotiations:

After considering the numbers Morneau has been putting up, the team determined that it was imperative to extend his contract and lock him up through his arbitration years and the beginning of his free agency period. Justin inked a 4-year contract extension worth a total of $47,600,000, keeping him on the Twins roster through 2013.

Joe Mauer was another young player that the front office will be trying to extend long-term before the season starts. It is rumored that he is close to signing a deal that will keep him in Minnesota for 3 more years at the price of $34,500,000.

Signed Francisco Liriano to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $19,000,000 to avoid arbitration in 2009 and 2010. The Twins will surely look to retain his services when he hits the free agent market but it seems Liriano wants to keep his options open.

Winter 2008-2009 Transactions:

While the organization is happy with the bullpen's production in 2008, GM Tucker decided to overhaul the 'pen, shipping some of the relievers that were getting expensive off in favor of younger position players to revitalize the offense. Pat Neshek, Dennys Reyes and Joe Nathan are the only holdovers from last season and will be counted on to lead the young bullpen.

Trades:

- Traded 25-year old minor league starting pitcher Glen Perkins, 27-year old minor league reliever Jesse Crain, 24-year old minor league reliever Carlos Martinez and 23-year old minor league starting pitcher Oswaldo Sosa to the San Diego Padres, getting 23-year old minor league second baseman Matt Antonelli in return.
This move helps to solve the pitching logjam in AAA while acquiring a second baseman with a steady glove and a solid bat. Alexi Casilla's lack of development concerned the organization and it was decided that Antonelli could either be used as a starter or in a platoon situation depending on his immediate production. He has the potential to have a very potent bat.

-Traded 30-year old reliever Matt Guerrier to the Cincinnati Reds, getting 24-year old minor league left fielder Danny Dorn in return.
Jose Tovar loves the skill Dorn brings to the Twins. He has the potential to be an instant contributor, as well as an excellent corner outfielder with some pop.

- Traded 32-year old closer B.J. Ryan and 22-year old shortstop Trevor Plouffe to the Atlanta Braves, getting 26-year old shortstop Yunel Escobar in return.
Tucker was looking to improve the defense for 2009 and gets a defensive and offensive upgrade at shortstop in Escobar.

[Kanonen80]

Spring Training 2009:

Sprint Training 2009 was exciting for the Minnesota Twins. Many of the young players brought into the organization via trades put up some impressive numbers. Reliever David Canales put together a solid spring and it seems he will be on the active roster to stay this year. Leftfielder Dustin Martin and reliver Danny Vais, who both spent 2008 in AA New Britain put on a surprising display. Vais will stay with the team when they head north while Martin will start in AAA Rochester but might be close to making his major league debut.

The bad news: Tim Lincecum experienced pain in his throwing elbow and will miss up to 7 months recovering from surgery to remove bone chips. While this is certainly a blow to the starting rotation, the Twins have plenty of quality arms that will be competing for the newly opened spot in the rotation.

Active Roster 2009

Spring training is over and Tucker has decided on the 25 players that will make the trip back to the Twin Cities:

Starting Rotation:

LHP Fancisco Liriano
25 Years old
2008: 11-5 3.43 ERA 138 K 133.2 IP
Contract: $6,550,200 (Arbitration)

RHP Scott Baker
27 Years old
2008: 17-12 3.55 ERA 136 K 215.2 IP
Contract: $3,731,200 (Arbitration)

RHP Nick Blackburn
27 Years old
2008: 14-11 3.89 ERA 129 K 187.1 IP
Contract: $390,000

RHP Enrique Gonzales
26 Years old
2008: 5-5 3.53 ERA 53 K 79 IP (Padres and Twins)
Contract: $390,000

RHP Philip Humber
26 Years old
2008: 4-4 2.82 ERA 72 K 108.1 IP (AAA Rochester)
Contract: $390,000

Bullpen:

LHP David Canales
26 Years old
2008: 7-0 2.68 ERA 38 K 57 IP (AAA Rochester)
Contract: $390,000

RHP Rick Asadoorian
28 Years old
2008: 8-5 2.64 ERA 138 K 122.2 IP (AA Jacksonville - Dodgers)
Contract: $390,000

RHP Boof Bonser
27 Years old
2008: 6-8 5.77 ERA 81K 115.1 IP
Contract: $390,000

RHP Danny Vais
24 Years old
2008: 1-1 3.38 ERA 4 K 5.1 IP (AAA Rochester)
Contract: $390,000

RHP Pat Neshek
28 Years old
2008: 2-2 3.00 ERA 48 K 60 IP
Contract: $390,000

LHP Dennys Reyes
32 Years old
2008: 4-2 2.88 ERA 54 K 56.1 IP
Contract: $2,583,000

RHP Joe Nathan
34 Years old
2008: 27 SV 2.62 ERA 57 K 51.2 IP
Contract: $8,652,00

Starting Lineup:

C Joe Mauer
26 Years old
2008: .285 AVG 9 HR 72 RBI
Contract: $7,308,500 (Arbitration)

1B Justin Morneau
27 Years old
2008: .291 AVG 32 HR 129 RBI
Contract: $7,890,00 (Arbitration)

2B Matt Antonelli
24 Years old
2008: .270 AVG 1 HR 11 RBI (Padres)
Contract: $390,000

3B Mike Lamb
33 Years old
2008: .279 AVG 16 HR 92 RBI
Contract: $10,321,500

SS Yunel Escobar
26 Years old
2008: .308 AVG 2 HR 29 RBI (Braves)
Contract: $390,000

LF Danny Dorn
24 Years old
2008: .230 AVG 1 HR 13 RBI (Reds)
Contract: $390,000

CF Carlos Gomez
23 Years old
2008: .292 AVG 12 HR 68 RBI
Contract: $390,000

RF Delmon Young
23 Years old
2008: .317 AVG 10 HR 66 RBI
Contract: $390,000

DH Jason Kubel
26 Years old
2008: .264 AVG 12 HR 50 RBI
Contract: $4,390,400 (Arbitration)

Bench:

C Jose Morales
26 Years old
2008: .182 AVG 0 HR 3 RBI
Contract: $390,000

IF Mike Paulk
25 Years old
2008: .280 AVG 0 HR 5 RBI
Contract: $390,000

MI Alexi Casilla
24 Years old
2008: .231 AVG 8 HR 47 RBI
Contract: $390,000

OF Denard Span
25 Years old
2008: .264 AVG 5 HR 42 RBI (AAA Rochester)
Contract: $390,000

[Kanonen80]

April 2009

The Twins started the season strong with a record of 13-9 and hold a slim 1 game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. However, the injury bug hit Minnesota hard and two Twins relievers will be watching the rest of the season from home. Alexi Casilla has gotten hot and has been given some playing time over the slumping rookie Matt Antonelli.

Hot List:
SP Francisco Liriano: 3-0 3.25 ERA 27.2 IP 42 K
CL Joe Nathan: 5 SV 0.00 ERA 6.1 IP 11 K
DH Jason Kubel: .338 AVG 3 HR 9 RBI .430 OBP
2B Alexi Casilla: .365 AVG 1 HR 9 RBI .377 OBP

Cold List:
MR Rick Asadoorian: 0-2 10.00 ERA 9 IP 9 BB 10 ER
CF Carlos Gomez: .229 AVG 18 K 0 HR .289 SLG
IF Mike Paulk: .208 AVG 0 HR .208 SLG

Injuries:
MR Boof Bonser: Torn bi-cep musce, out 10-11 months
MR Danny Vais: Herniated disc, out 10 months

Transactions:
Recalled RHP Jason Simontacchi from AAA Rochester
Recalled RHP Armando Galarraga from AAA Rochester

RHP Jason Simontacchi
35 years old
2008: 0-1 1 SV 3.86 ERA 14 IP 19 K
Contract: $390,000

RHP Armando Galarraga
27 years old
2008: 4-3 3.39 ERA 63.2 IP 31 K
Contract: $390,000

Notes:
The offence was starting to dry up at the end of the month and the back end of the rotation is starting to struggle. Hopefully everything will turn around soon and the slumps will end. Philip Humber was spectacular his first 3 starts only to be hit very hard his last 2. The bullpen is also shaky after losing Danny Vais who was starting to put up some healthy numbers. The organization hopes that his injury will not have any long-lasting effects.