Ken Rosenthal of Fox mentions …

Posted by twinsmvb on January 31, 2009 under John | Be the First to Comment

Ken Rosenthal of Fox mentions the Twins are still looking to move Delmon Young and suggests Seattle as a fit: http://tinyurl.com/ah5ydm

Twins Break Off Gagne Talks

Posted by John on January 29, 2009 under John | 2 Comments to Read

The Star Tribune reports the Twins and Eric Gagne were exchanging contract numbers last week until the Twins suddenly decided to break off talk with the veteran reliever.

Gagne was apparently willing to accept a one year deal worth $3 million that could have added 500k in incentives. That deal actually seems rather reasonable to me for the Twins, but I can understand if they’re cautious about Gagne.

Given the market there are certainly a lot of remaining bargains to be had but it appears as if the reliever market is quite thin. The Twins have said they are exploring bullpen help through trades now, but this offseason you must take everything Bill Smith says with a grain of salt. Typically it’s well we could of, would of, should of statements to give us fans an excuse for why not and never why.

The Twins were believed to have been attendance yesterday at Joe Crede’s workout in Arizona. Perhaps they like what they saw and pulling out of the Gagne talks was in effort to redirect that money in Crede’s direction. I do believe that Crede would be a better fit for the Twins than Gagne, but I also think if the Twins could give Nick Punto $8.5 million they could afford Crede and Gagne for about $6 million.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Do you think it was a good idea to break off talks with Eric Gagne? We’ll keep you updated on the Joe Crede news right here on twinsmvb.com.

Twins currently slated for 11 …

Posted by twinsmvb on January 28, 2009 under John | Be the First to Comment

Twins currently slated for 11 games on National TV! Star Trib: http://bit.ly/vn2W Everyone deserves a break from Dick and Bert!

Front Office Manager Puts YOU In Control

Posted by John on January 27, 2009 under John | 3 Comments to Read

And now for something completely different…. a video game review!

I’ve never used this blog to review or critique video games but I thought that just this one time the situation fit. Today 2K Sports launched their new MLB game called Front Office Manager. Unlike any other baseball game ever there is no throwing strikes or hitting homeruns. Instead, this is your time to be the GM. Hopefully you’ll follow in the footsteps of Billy Beane not Billy Smith!

Although initially the thought of not playing any games seems a little boring, but for a crazed fan like myself who dreams of being an MLB GM this game is meant for nerds like me. The game allows you to make trades, scout players, sign international free agents, and even go through the Rule 5 draft. In the beginning you personalize your own GM and then choose your career background (lawyer, former player, businessman, etc.) each with it’s own strengths and weaknesses.

I don’t play too many video games these days, but this game may help pass some of those cold winter hours here in Minneapolis. I think I’m going to check it out and if you do too let me know what you think! The game is released today on XBox360, PS3, and PC. (I should be getting some commission from 2kSports for this!)

Kicking Off the 2009 Season at Twins Fest

Posted by John on January 25, 2009 under John | Read the First Comment

My preparation for the 2009 Twins season has officially begun after a great weekend at Twins Fest. As you see above, I made a new friend named Kevin Slowey. Slowey was so friendly and genuine taking pictures with fans, young and old alike. I told Kevin I enjoyed reading his MLBlog this offseason and that he should check out twinsmvb.com. So Kevin, if you do visit the site leave a comment or send us an email at twinsmvb@gmail.com. I wish you a great 2009 season and I’m excited to watch you build on your 2008 breakout campaign!

Other highlights of the Twins Fest included listening to interviews of Glen Perkins, Scott Baker, Delmon Young and Corey Koskie, analyzing the miniature model of the new Target Field, watching Dick Bremer auction off Twins memorabilia, and taking a tour of the clubhouse. Here are some of my pictures below:

It was a great weekend and an awesome way to get pumped up for the 2009 season. I always love seeing the players out of uniform and realizing they are ordinary people just like us. For some reason i think Twins guys are good guys. Although it was below zero in Minneapolis, inside the Dome were fans full of warm feelings that can’t wait to watch their heroes take the field this spring!

Watch Joe Mauer talk about his…

Posted by twinsmvb on January 24, 2009 under John | Be the First to Comment

Watch Joe Mauer talk about his health from Twins Fest at the dome: http://snurl.com/anlgq

Brandon Lyon signs deal with T…

Posted by twinsmvb on under John | Be the First to Comment

Brandon Lyon signs deal with Tigers and the A’s are nearing a deal with Russ Springer. Twins options may be limited to Eric Gagne.

Twins Countdowns

Posted by John on January 23, 2009 under John | 4 Comments to Read

A few Friday notes here on this 23rd day of January…

• The annual TwinsFest kicks off this weekend at the Metrodome. Friday night through Sunday afternoon Twins fans, Twins player, and Twins alumni will be in attendance signing autographs, taking pictures, talking baseball, and much much more. The event is always a great time and a good opportunity for Twins fans to come out of their hibernation and dream of spring baseball. The MVB will be attending this weekend and expect some in-depth coverage of the happenings at the Dome. Any particular player I should try to talk to? Let me know in the comments section.
• Sid Hartman says the Twins are in serious talks with Eric Gagne and Joe Crede, both Scott Boras clients. Sid says only the length of the contract is what is stalling the talks. I can’t recall if the Twins have ever had a Boras client but I don’t think they have. Most teams usually walk away from a Boras negotiation with the short end of the stick. I can’t imagine though how either Gagne or Crede could justify more than a one-year deal given their injury history. As stated on this blog before, at the right price I think both of these players could be good fits for the club.
• 22 days until Twins pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training
• 73 days, 7 hours, and 12 minutes until Opening Day pitch at the Metrodome.

Get excited Twins fans!

A Round of Rumors

Posted by John on January 22, 2009 under John | Be the First to Comment

The Star Tribune’s LaVelle E. Neal III reports a couple of Twins rumors today that include the likes of Eric Gagne, Brandon Lyon, Russ Springer, and now Joe Crede.

Gagne and Lyon have been mentioned for awhile as 8th inning guys for Minnesota, but Springer is a new name for the fire. Give credit to Seth Stohs of SethSpeaks.net, who reportedly first caught word of the Springer talk.

I’m excited to see Crede’s name linked to the Twins. Apparently he feels like his offseason surgery has finally solved his chronic back problems. Crede will work out for teams next week in Arizona to prove himself and the Twins will most definitely be in attendance. Here is why we should jump on Joe Crede:

1) He will come as a low-risk, high reward player: Yeah, maybe he’ll get only play in 90 games but that’s 90 games that the platoon of Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher aren’t playing. Crede has said he’s willing to take a one-year deal to prove himself and with his injury history I’m guessing he could be signed for about $3 million.

2) He actually has a great glove. Crede is more known for his power (and I think he could bring 25 homeruns to 3B for the Twins which would be a great addition) but he also has an above average glove. I’m not predicting Crede to win a gold glove in 2009, but I believe he’d be an upgrade over a Harris/Buscher platoon for sure.

3) He’s a Twin killer! I feel like this guy always has big games against the Twins. He seems to come up with that go ahead homerun late in the game or a diving stop to turn the double play. What better way to not only fill a huge hole for the Twins, but to do by taking the guy from the Chicago White Sox and bringing him on our side. So next year if there is a tie-breaker to make the playoffs against the Sox, Crede can get some revenge!

Now I understand a lot of this is wishful thinking that Crede can come back and put together a .270/25/85 season, but  given the cost, I think this is a rumor the Twins should take a chance on.

BREAKING NEWS! Twins sign Jaso…

Posted by twinsmvb on January 20, 2009 under John | Be the First to Comment

BREAKING NEWS! Twins sign Jason Kubel, avoid arbitration, to a new two year deal with option for third year: http://tinyurl.com/8rv8we