Tuesday Night, December 12, 2006
QUICK THOUGHTS
I got home from work a bit ago and thought I would write up a quick update on a few things of note:
First, dreams of the Twins acquiring Jason Jennings from the Rockies just went up in smoke. He was just dealt, with Miguel Asencio, to the Houston Astros in exchange for Willy Taveras, Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz. So, for potentially one year of Jennings, the Astros gave up a speedy centerfielder with four years before free agency, and two high quality young pitchers who should remain Rockies for at least the next five years! (in equivalent Twins terms, that would be a two year more advanced Denard Span, Kevin Slowey and Scott Baker) Great trade for the Rockies! Good trade for the 2007 Houston Astros.
Yesterday, Jeff Cirillo pretty much made it known that he was headed to the Twins. Aaron Gleeman wrote about it in his column today. I happen to think it is an excellent signing. Cirillo crushes left-handed pitching. He can platoon at 3B with Nick Punto, at least to start the season. However, when Nick Punto turns back into Nick Punto, as he did last September, Cirillo could see plenty of playing time. In the meantime, he could get some ABs at DH and pinch hitting. He also can play the other infield positions if needed. He is guaranteed $1.5 million, but I am hoping that he will reach his incentives and make $1.8 million!
Tonight is the night when teams need to determine whether to tender an option to their arbitration-eligible players. Those are the players between three and five years of big league experience. They are not yet eligible for free agency. The Twins have several of these players including Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau, Jason Tyner and Lew Ford. It is believed that each will be offered arbitration. Marcus Giles will not be offered arbitration by the Atlanta Braves. Of players who will likely not be offered arbitration (and become free agents), I am of the opinion that only Jorge Sosa is even worth considering.
Rich Lederer of The Baseball Analysts has been a huge supporter of Bert Blyleven's Hall of Fame candidacy. He had some interesting e-mail conversations with Bill Conlin, who had not voted for Blyleven in the past. I can understand because I had the same type of e-mails with Conlin. Read his success story here.
Here is a very nice story on Torii Hunter and his wife and some of the things that they do in the community.
Finally, I am working on a project that I think will be fun and interesting. If you would like to help me with it, please send me an e-mail and I will get you more details. Basically, I am trying to get a feel for who people would start a team with? Which pitcher and hitter under the age of 30 would you take first. I am doing this in a little different way, so I am hoping to get a lot of help with it. Thanks!
If you have any thoughts or comments, please send me an e-mail. Have a great night. We may or may be back with some Wild Wednesday thoughts.