"The great thing about the game of baseball is that you don't have to wait long to play again. You can look at it two ways. You can come in depressed, or you can come back in as a professional. I choose to come back in like a professional and try to figure out how to win a baseball game. I hope the rest of the guys in the clubhouse do the same thing."
Not so much.
Those were Ron Gardenhire's words after Tuesday's 7-0 loss, ensuring that the Twins would lose the series to Toronto. There was still a chance to salvage one game of the set.
Apparently the Twins decided to take the former of Gardy's two options.
The 13-1 loss to Toronto is the kind of game that can kill a season. It was ugly and demoralizing, and it's hard for any team to convince itself that it's in contention when they respond to losing the first two games of a series by getting pounded like that.
13 runs in a game is bad enough, but 11 in one inning is bush league.
This has been a strange year, and while the Twins still have strong pitching, and still could add a bat or two next week, a serious run just doesn't look likely.
Did they really believe they had what it took to compete this year? I suppose if you assumed that Nick Punto and Rondell White would both be solid contributors all year, then yeah, it might've seemed possible back in April.
But the fact that Terry Ryan chose to stand pat all through June and July, when it was obvious that Punto and White weren't going to get it done and there was still time to do something about it, will ultimately be, in my opinion, what killed their chances.
Even if the Twins continue losing, I don't think trading Torii Hunter is necessarily a good idea, because,
A - there's still a chance they could sign him
B - since he's in a walk year, other teams will certainly low-ball the Twins with their offers, meaning the Twins likely wouldn't get a great return
C - Hunter will qualify as a Class A free-agent, meaning any team that does sign him would have to give the Twins two draft picks in compensation, which could prove to be as valuable, or more, than whatever prospects/players the Twins might get in a trade
However, Luis Castillo, Carlos Silva, Jeff Cirillo, and Rondell White should be offered for whatever they can get. I'd certainly add Juan Rincon's name to that list, but he's been so bad this year, he can't have much value right now anyway.
The Twins should also at least listen to offers for Joe Nathan, because someone could always overpay for a closer (and Rincon should be exhibit A that Nathan could go into decline sooner than expected).
*3B Brian Buscher has been called up. He's been hitting well between Double-A and Triple-A this year, and hopefully will be given a chance to play fairly regularly at third, since poor Punto has degenerated into arguably baseball's worst player.
22 comments:
Luis Castillo won't be back next year, so I'd try and get whatever possible for him right now. There should be enough interest from some National League teams. A Joe Nathan trade right now could set the Twins up for the next few years. There would be plenty of interested parties for him. As far as Rincon goes, I would simply designate him for assingment, and be done with his permanent 5 O'clock shadow.
Trade everyone. It's over.
Nice job, TR.
I've got the oldest balls in baseball these days. Old, Old balls. I've been out of my prime now for some 60 years.
I still believe that Terry Ryan will be able to pull off the Nick Punto for Eric Chavez trade.
Word has it; Johan Santana has been taking extra cuts during batting practice. Gardy was very impressed with his bat during inner-league play. The hope is that he will become the next Babe Ruth.
Word has it; Terry Ryan is very interested in reacquiring LaTroy Hawkins. If Nathan is to be dealt, expect talks between the Twins and the Rockies to heat up. Adding fuel to the fire, Gardy is openly saying that he believes "Hawk" now possesses the "stuff" to anchor his bullpen.
Terry Ryan right now is looking at possibly bringing back Sidney Ponson, and giving him another shot at the rotation. Ponson is doing nothing right now, and still maintains a real live arm. Ramon Ortiz will be put back into the rotation too. Other rumors have Nick Punto being traded to the D-Rays for $12,000 cash, and Terry Ryan is looking at bringing back Denny hocking to fill in at the utility role. Ruben Sierra will more than likely be the 2008 DH for the Twins. Luis Rodriguez right now is the front runner for the 3rd base job, and Lew Ford looks to be a lock in Center when Torri Hunter is gone. Lew just keeps battling, and Gardy likes that. Gardy also said Lew put a good swing on a ball during their last series in Chicago, and that swing alone will get Lew back to his .238 average.
it would all be funny if it weren't so close to the truth
I one time saw Lew Ford "put a good swing on a ball." It reminded me of a total solar eclipse. Both are remarkable, and both only recur at any given place once every 370 years.
It's a shame too. I heard his "good swings" could be the cure for cancer.
Hell, I could legitimately go out right now, in my current shape, and out hit L Rod, Punto, Ford. It's pathetic. So could LeCroy for that matter, although, Lecroy doesn't have what it takes to get up close and dirty with Gellnar.
Gaarrrrr, it be true what they be saying bout the swing of Lew Ford. I be sufferin from nad cancer till I be seeing that good swing from me heeler. Now me jewels be cancer free. Arrrrrgh, she be a swing, sweet as a pearl.
Word has it; Next year, Smalley is out and LeCroy is in. Coomer, you'd better learn how to play defense.
Twins will win 1 of 3, but will score a combined 7 runs in this 3 game series with the Indians. BTW, Punto last year at this time was hitting .321 with a .430 OBP. This year, he's putting up respectable Timmy Laudner numbers.
Arrrgh matey, me prediction be that ol' yellow belly Grady Sizemore be keeping his mouth open the entire series of games. Garrrr, me be believing he only be shutting it to be applying his lipstick.
Grady Sizemore blows. Indians will have Kenny Lofton in their line up tonight.
A guy on CNNSI is predicting Ty Wiggington and Mike Piazza going to the Twins. 3B and DH would then be taken care of. Of course, this is just rumor, Terry Ryan would never make such a drastic, and an ultamately no-brainer move.
Any news on the Punto for Chavez deal?
I don't think the Punto for Chavez deal will go through. Although Chavez is a much better player, Gardy and Terry Ryan both agree that Punto battles much better than Chavez. Plus, they both feel that another Latino on the team could create a mutiny.
punto is half latino
Nick Punto.....he's not part latino. He's 100% wop. Italian, maybe with a few mob ties. Maybe that's why he's still on the Twins. Gardy knows he may get whacked if anything happens to Punto.
So much for Wigginton...maybe you can get broke-dick Morgan Ensberg. Of course, you don't really need anything at the deadline, what with Tyner finding his power stroke.
Oh, and Punto and I are paisans. Watch yerself, slappies.
fuck nick punto, fuck lew ford, trade luis castillo and joe nathan cuz luis will be gone and joe isnt as important anymore anyway, and get some fucking position players please. This is disguisting, i cant watch them anymore. We have to win a game against cleveland thanks to a guy getting his first career homerun when he's like 32, we're on fire now.
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