Posted by John on November 22, 2009 under John | 
That’s right folks today is this blog’s second birthday. It’s hard to believe how fast two years has gone by, but MVB is still one of the newer Twins blogs out there.
Two years ago I started Twins MVB and was blogging about Torii Hunter’s arrival to the Anaheim Angels and where Johan Santana would land? Last year’s post was Justin Morneau missing out on the MVP award and wondering who would play shortstop and thirdbase? Today is will Joe Mauer win the MVP and, although shortstop is taken care of, we’re still wondering who will play thirdbase?
The game of baseball is ever changing but there are always exciting reasons to follow the game and be a Twins fan. That’s really the best part of blogging about my favorite team. The Twins have a quality club, some truly amazing players (see Joe Mauer winning the MVP tomorrow), and the excitement of a new ballpark.
Over 18,000 people visited Twins MVB in the past year and I want to thank you all. I try to continually improve the blog and I’m always open for suggestions and feedback. I’m excited for another year of running this blog and with the addition of Dan Wade to the team along with Dain TePoel and I there will certainly be good Twins content to read.
Thank you again and Happy Birthday Twins MVB!
Posted by John on April 5, 2009 under John |
With just about 7 hours until the opening pitch of the 2009 Major League Season, it’s time to make our fearless predictions for the year to come. Here is the panel.
John Meyer – That’s me the Twins MVB.
Dain TePoel – Columnist of “Off the TePoel” here at TwinsMVB.com. Dain brings the harsh reality about the Twins.
Cameron Webb – Cam is a Diamondbacks fan at heart but knows a thing or two about the Major leagues. Webb worked as an intern for MLB.com last summer in New York City and will be moving out to Seattle to work for the Mariners this summer. You can check out Cam’s writing over at Major League Blogging.
Andrew Wright – Wright is pronounced Twins fan and Yankees enemy. He’s going to speak his mind freely and doesn’t care what you think. Andrew will be a guest blogger for TwinsMVB.com this 2009 season.
Alright here we go… perhaps you want to save this post and at the end of October you can see how wrong we all are!
MVP
MVB
AL: Justin Morneau – Despite my bias, I really think the Twins will have a great season and Justin Morneau will be at the heart of it all. His previous award will help him in voting as well.
NL: David Wright – Wright will narrowly beat out a monster year from Hanley Ramirez because this year Wright gets the Mets into the playoffs.
TePoel
AL: Carlos Quentin (would have been last year, if healthy the whole way).
NL: Ryan Braun. He’s a stud.
CW
AL: Mark Teixeria, Sure, he just go a big contract , but “Tex” isn’t really one of those guys that plays for himself: he plays to win. I can’t remember the last time someone so humble played for the Yankees! Just another note: he’ll be a regular on ESPN with game-winning hits/home-runs. He’ll fill-in where A-Rod seems to lack in the Big Apple.
NL: Ryan Howard, He can hit, he’s young, and oh yeah… he’s CLUTCH. Even though he’s on a team that is in arguably THE toughest division in the NL, this guy is only getting better this year. That’s just scary!
AW
AL: Justin Morneau – Won it two years ago, and finish second in the voting last season despite having dropped off in the home stretch.
NL: Albert Pujols – Unless Manny has the kind of season he had after last year’s All-Star break, Pujols will show everyone why he is the best player in baseball.
Cy Young
MVB
AL: Jon Lester – This kid is a fighter and the Red Sox are going to win a lot of games. Many of those will be credited to Lester.
NL: Johan Santana – Now in his second year in the AAAA League, Santana will dominate all year en route to a 22-6 record.
TePoel
AL: C.C. Sabathia
NL: Tim Lincecum
CW
AL: Fautso Carmona, This guy can pitch. This year, he’s going to rock the AL Central with a mean fastball and all the run support a guy could want. Look for him to pick up from the season Cliff Lee had.
NL: Brandon Webb, This award will stay in the NL West… for the 4th consecutive year. Webb and Lincecum will battle all year, but Webb will ultimately come on top with Arizona making the playoffs. As long as Webb does not get injured (or hit by a line drive), he’ll win.
AW
AL: C.C. Sabathia – Always hurts to pick a Yankee to win anything, but let’s be honest the Yankees are going to win a lot of games this season and C.C. will likely contribute to his fair share.
NL: Johan Santana – The only thing stopping Santana could be his health, but he seems to be making a statement that he is “good to go” as Spring Training draws to a close. The Mets addition of Francisco Rodriguez can’t hurt Santana either.
Rookie of the Year
MVB
AL: David Price – Matt Wieters will make an impact in 2009, but Price will be why the Rays make it back to the playoffs.
NL: Cameron Maybin – The Marlins are working their way back to another World Series title. Maybin will be the catalyst to a great 2009 club.
TePoel
AL/NL: Rookies? I don’t know about rookies. I suck.
CW
AL: Matt Wieters, This guy is a stud. It’s looking like he’ll start the beginning of the season in the Minors but should be up in no time. Experts are saying he’s like Joe Mauer… with POWER!
NL: Cameron Maybin, He must be a stud since we share the same first name! Has a unique combination of speed and power. Look for him to absolutely WOW the masses with his finesse on the field.
AW
AL: Matt Wieters – I am going to jump on the bandwagon while I still can. Last year, Wieters hit for a .995 OPS against right handers and a 1.198 OPS against lefties. He may have only slightly more than a half season to prove me right, but I think this could be my safest pick.
NL: Jordan Zimmerman – This kid has a lot of support for his ROY campaign this year, but lack of run support could hurt.
Breakout Player of the Year
MVB
AL: Jason Kubel – No Joe Mauer? Have no fear, Kubel is going to be huge in 2009.
NL: Joey Votto – He came close to ROY last year, but I think Votto becomes a household name in 2009.
TePoel
AL: Matt Wieters – He’s going to scare some people. Maybe he’s ROY candidate.
NL: Jayson Werth
CW
AL: Brett Gardner, He just beat out Melky Cabrera for the starting CF gig. Only on the up and up! He’ll be an everyday name with in the next few years!
NL: Travis Ishikawa, He’s been an under-the-radar guy for so long. He’s consistent but has a low RBI total. Look for him to turn that around with the up and coming Giants this year.
AW
AL: Alex Gordon – Third year is always a breakout year. This guy was a hell of a college player and may finally have a supporting cast.
NL: Justin Upton – Third time’s the charm for Justin too. I think he will be better than his brother.
Posted by twinsmvb on November 27, 2008 under John |
As opposed to last year on this blog, I decided to take Thanksgiving off and instead celebrate Black Friday! Now let me assure you I do not celebrate this holiday constructed by consumerist America. You will not find me waking up at 3:00 am to get in a long line waiting to buy at flat screen TV at 30% off, but rather in the comforts of my chair I will write about which Twins I’m buying on great deals for 2009.
1. Kevin Slowey – This kid really impressed me in 2008 and I think he still has much improvement ahead of him. Buying Slowey is like purchasing that new grill for the family, it’s an investment that will only get better with time. Slowey went 12-11 with a 3.99 ERA last year and given his pitching style surprisingly struck out 123 batters in 160 innings. He’s a fly ball pitcher who gives up a fair amount of homeruns but makes sure he does it without runners on base. Most of all Slowey has great control walking just 24 batters and simply throwing strikes and letting his defense help him out. With Denard Span and Carlos Gomez both behind him for an entire season look to Slowey to post great numbers.
2. Jose Mijares – Mijares is like the new gadget that everyone has read is really cool, but haven’t seen it yet. The 24 year old lefty pitched just 10 innings in the big leagues this year but made a big impression. His 10 innings were in pressure packed situations and the young Venezuelan not only showed great composure but the tenacity and confidence to go after hitters and trust his stuff. I know this is a risk with such little pro experience, but I think it’ll be a good buy. Mijares will be in a good situation pitching in front of Joe Nathan and should have great success in his role if he keeps his confidence and nerves of steel.
3. Jason Kubel – Like Tickle Me Elmo it seems like Kubel is on this list every year, but last year he made sure his value was known and I expect nothing less in 2009. Kubel finally established himself with a healthy season getting 464 at bats in 141 games. Kubel had an 08 line of .272 with 20 HR and 78 RBI. Despite what seems like many disappointing seasons, Jason will still be just 26 at the start of the 2009 season. Kubel will have control of the DH position and should get to hit behind Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Look for the native South Dakotan to build on his 08 success with another solid year. I’m not expecting any ridiculous breakout year, but I think a .280/25/85 year is within reach.
4. Michael Cuddyer – If you can afford big purchases this holiday season you can’t go wrong with a Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, or a Joe Nathan. With the poor economy I also can’t afford a young project with high potential like a Carlos Gomez or a Delmon Young. So to do some discount shopping look to pick up a Michael Cuddyer at a reduced rate for 2009. His 2008 campaign was nothing less than a disappointment playing in just 71 games while batting .249 with just a .369 SLG%. However, I think Michael Cuddyer is too competitive and too good of an athlete to allow another disappoint year to drag him down. Yes, I agree that he’ll never have seasons like 2006 year after year, but I expect a solid comeback in 2009. As long as Cuddyer is still in Minnesota and gets his fair share of at bats I think he’ll start to produce some value based on his big contract.
That’s my shopping list for great deals in 2009. Let’s hope I get a good return on my investments!
