The Trade Deadline Passes

Thoughts on the Trade Deadline
Bullpen Catcher Will Now Take the Podium

By Bullpen Catcher

The 2007 non-waiver trade deadline passed earlier today and Terry Ryan sat on his phone while across town Kevin McHale was making headlines with his.

No Kevin Garnett for the (rest of the) Boston Celtics trade here folks.

Let me get this correct: The Twins, straddling the line between possible contender and a team set to unload for next year, made one deal. One damn deal. Not to get a power hitter. Not to add a bullpen arm. Not to move big money outfielder Torii Hunter nor Spittin' Carlos Silva. Heck, the Twins didn't even dump Lew Ford for a player to be named nor did they gamble by giving up Joe Nathan (thank goodness!) for prospects.

All Mr. Ryan did was hand off the team's most consistent hitter in a team filled with inconsistent hitters. And what in return? Um, some kids named Drew Butera and Dustin Martin. I know I'm not head of scouting for the big league club, but somehow I doubt this is going in the same category as other Ryan trades of the past. Most notably of those was A.J. Pierzynsky being moved so a kid named Mauer could catch -- in return the Twins got away with robbery (Nathan, Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano). Remember when Rusty Kielty was sent to Toronto for Shannon Stewart? Those deals looked like they had reason and purpose.

What's the purpose here? Does this signify the Twins need another catcher because perhaps Mauer is moving positions soon? Is Morneau headed for an offseason trade because T.R. didn't lock him into a contract before the season? Is Mauer the new first baseman rather than the new third baseman?

Something smells like a conspiracy theory here. Get the Warren Commission together.

Other thoughts...

• Morgan Ensberg was reported to be persued by the Twins by Bullpen Catcher, and while there were discussions, San Diego won out on picking up the worry-free contract (zero dollars) for the rest of the season.
• The New York Mets sealed the National League East title with the Castillo trade. Castillo is a phenomenal fielder -- steady and fundamentally sound -- as well as a great leadoff hitter with speed. What did anyone else in the tightly contested East do? Atlanta made a lot of noise picking up Mark Teixeira and Octavio Dotal in separate trades, but being 4.5 back in the division is a lot to make up when the Phillies and the Mets are ahead of you. The Phillies? They may have crapped out on the trade deadline worse than the Twins. They "bolstered" their rotation with Kyle "Loser" Lohse, picked up 2B Tadahito Iguchi and the "where did he disappear to?" Julio Mateo. Ugh. In Philadelphia, the P.A. announcer can now officially begin each game with: "Gentlemen, start your booing."
• The Twins are done. They'll play scrappy as usual for a bit, gain a game or two on the big boys and drop out of sight for the last time in 2007. Torii Hunter's playing to see how high bidding can get between the Yankees and Red Sox and the rest will be wondering who Spendthrift Carl Pohlad will let go in his prime next.
• Ryan should send a thank-you note to the Timberwolves for putting the Garnett trade on the front page of the paper and top of the broadcast tonight. Instead, it would have been non-stop: "What the hell is going on with the Twins?" coverage.

Slap 'N Go has Slapped and Gone

Castillo dealt for sludge
Twins quit on season

By Bullpen Catcher
Luis Castillo's trade for two minor leaguers signifies the end of the Twins run for the American League playoffs and may trigger another deal before today's trading deadline.

Slappy not only gave the Twins their only possible legitimate leadoff hitter, but was nearly flawless as a second baseman. The Nina, The Punto and The Santa Maria are all that's left to field next to President Jed Bartlett.

Twins General Manager Terry Ryan is telling local news stations and papers this doesn't mean the team is throwing up a white flag.

He's lying.

What's left to do now? Find a solid DH for the middle of the lineup? Get a strong third baseman to pull the infield together and offer some pop? Oh, that's right, the team doesn't have a leadoff hitter now. Forget all of that.

Sal Butera himself coming to the Twins in his prime was a better trade.

Back to rooting for Justin Morneau to hit a lot of home runs and for Matt Garza to get better for next year's rotation, I guess. Ugh.

Ensberg update

By Bullpen Catcher

As talks continue between the Twins and Astros regarding 3B Morgan Ensberg, here's a tidbit from CBS Sportsline on the former All-Star:

"Ensberg was never the same after tearing a tendon in his right shoulder diving for a foul ball on June 9, 2006. He spent a month on the disabled list, then came back in August and finished the season with a career-low .235 average and only 58 RBI.

Houston is responsible for the remainder of Ensberg's $4.35 million salary this season. "

Ensberg a Twin?

Former All-Star Available

Can Twins Be Next Stop?

By Bullpen Catcher

The Minnesota Twins are back shopping.

It all became possible as the Houston Astros designated 3B Morgan Ensberg for assignment today and have 10 days to either trade him or offer him a demotion to the minor leagues. If Ensberg refuses the demotion, he becomes a free agent.

Astros front office personnel are saying they are doing everything they can to trade Ensberg rather than have him fall to the minors/release route.

My sources say the Twins are interested in Ensberg and are working to piece together the right minor league prospects for a deal. Most likely, a source close to the Twins says, Minnesota will offer one or two Class AA or A players who are years away from the majors.

Ensberg may be a good fit for the Twins, who are looking for some pop in the lineup, need a third baseman, and are tentative making a big deal when their playoff outlook is bleak. The Twins are 7.5 games back in the AL Central and would also need to catch the Cleveland Indians (6.5 games ahead of the Twins) for a wildcard berth.

Ensberg's best season was 2005, when he hit .283 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI. He's appeared in 85 games this season, hitting just .232 with 8 HR and 31 RBI.

Ensberg, 31, was a National League All-Star in 2005 and is a career .266 hitter.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.astroasylum.com)

Sunday Jersey Talk

DYK: Twins Have 6 Jersey Combinations?

Roll Out My Favorites

By Bullpen Catcher

A recent check of press releases put out by the Minnesota Twins indicates the boys can wear six possible combinations of jerseys, pants and hats. There are the two traditional jersey pants combinations (white at home, gray pinstripes on the road), the navy blue "alternate" jersey additions (both home and road), the hideous red jerseys and the sleeveless home white jerseys.

Plus, there are two batting practice official jerseys.

Whew.

Sunday usually results in goofy jerseys. Frankly, if I never see the blue alternate tops with white pants again, I'm happier than Boof at a buffet. Where did the Twins' best alternate uniform go? I loved the sleeveless white with blue undershirt. They're classy and, from my playing days, extremely comfortable. Come on Twins (or, I guess it's the starting pitchers who get to choose the uniform style the day they pitch), roll out the sleeveless jobs. Heck, if you think there's something superstitious about using them, then it can't hurt -- the team's been pathetic lately.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.aarongleeman.com)

Deal, Or No Deal?

Wigginton to Astros
Twins Miss Out On Trade For D-Rays 3B

By Bullpen Catcher
Despite Jason Tyner's recent power surge (he hit his first Major League home run in 1221 at bats Saturday), the Twins have been in desperate need for a bat in the middle of the lineup. Names listed in the trade rumors have been eclectic: Fat Dmitri Young (Nationals), Ty Wigginton (Devil Rays), Dan Johnson (A's), Sammy Sosa (Rangers), Matt Stairs (Blue Jays), and Jermaine Dye (White Sox).

But it seems obvious the Twins are getting ready to unload some players rather than pick them up. A recent report says the Mets are interested in Luis Castillo, Torii Hunter is a possible trade by Tuesday night, and Carlos "Saliva" Silva might take his home run pitch elsewhere.

Plus, the picture for the Twins' intentions seems to be clearing up as 3B Wigginton was traded to Houston today for crappy reliever Dan Wheeler . What happened there? We couldn't part with the likes of Juan Rincon or Ramon Ortiz? Gosh, what could we get for someone like Matt Guerrier?

Another indication the Twins are out of bids for help was when Fat Young signed a two-year deal with Washington to effectively keep him off the trade market.

Personally, if there was a single player I'd like the Twins to get, it would be Troy Glaus of the Blue Jays. He would fill a lot of voids. Alas, that won't be happening. Terry Ryan will soon be pulling in young talent instead of putting this team in a position to compete.

Another Sweep, More Mediocrity

Twins lose 13-1 Wednesday
BP Catcher Declares Post-Season Chances Done

By Bullpen Catcher

The most absurd thing to happen in Wednesday's 13-1 drubbing at Toronto wasn't Carlos Silva's attempt at pitching. It wasn't the Twins paltry offense (again). It wasn't the sweep.

It was John Gordon's voice on the radio claiming -- in the ninth inning no doubt -- that the Twins could still put together a nice run of wins ("...like winning 14 out of 18 or something to that effect ...") and get back in the AL Central race.

Huh?

Gordo, the Twins are done. Wake up and smell your Grecian Hair Dye!

Fortunately for the radio crew, Danny Gladden was there to correctly point out the Twins have shown nothing of a team that can put together three or four wins, let alone a run like Gordo aspires for them. Gladden had to point this out three times in the waning moments of the latest embarassment.

Any Twins fan who thinks this team is going anywhere this season is wrong. They needed to win at least two on this trip to give any semblance of hope. The Twins are playing .505 baseball (51-50) and are 8 back in the wild card.

In the words of a former Pioneer Press colleague: "It's over!"

Shut Out Again

Twins futility at the plate painful
Minnesota leads American League in being shut out

By The Bullpen Catcher
You can't ask much more of your fifth starter than what Scott Baker gave the Twins Tuesday night in Toronto. Let's be clear about it, Baker isn't exactly Jim Kaat in his prime, but he has worked himself into a doable fifth man in a wobbly rotation.

Baker was OK for a little over six innings, allowing just four runs in seven innings of work. He held a solid Blue Jay lineup at bay (three runs) until he would have normally given way to the bullpen. But, alas, the Twins bullpen is a geldingpen these days.

It's enough to have Paul Simon singing: "Where have you gone Ed-die Guar-dado? Everyday Eddie's arm is blown away. Hey, Hey Hey ..."

The bullpen is left to Matt G-R-R-R and Spaz Neshek. Guerrier is the typical journeyman long reliever and Spaz looks like he has a tired arm finally (wonder how that could happen with such good mechanics?). Last year, The Big Fat Dennys Reyes, Steriods Rincon and Billy Goat Crain would have stopped those Canadian bats and held Baker's ERA a little lower than his 5.30 showing. I'm not Baker's biggest fan by any means, but six hits, one walk and five strikeouts against the likes of Kelly Gruber Jr. (Troy Glaus), Lawrence Taylor (Big Hurt), Boomer Wells, and Grand Rios should make Ron Gardenhire happy.

The biggest problem wasn't the geldingpen. It sure wasn't Torii Hunter's idiot baserunning. It wasn't Baker.

It's the problem that should have Terry Ryan now in trade-for-the-future mode. The time to trade back into any race is over for 2007. Why? The offense.

The Twins offense has been as anemic and tempermental as a high school girl the week of prom.

Where are the runs? Justin Morneau can only hit so many homeruns to get this team to within four of the other team. Joe Mauer is the best bases-empty, down by five hitter in baseball and Torii defines sporatic at the plate. The Twins lead the American League by being shutout nine times this season. Time to get some middle relievers for next year and maybe someone to hit in that lineup for Gardy's boys.

Cue-Ball Isn't A Total Scratch

Kubel Not As Bad As His Rap
Twins OF/DH is pretty average for 4th OF

By The Bullpen Catcher
Jason Kubel (photo courtesy of http://www.boston.com/), the Twins scruffy left-handed outfielder/designated hitter, is the latest in a series of Minnesota players to have the tag of "we're waiting for him to play to his potential."

Sure Kubel destroyed his knee in Arizona Fall League in 2004, and sure he was a hell of a prospect then, but let's face it -- he is what he is. The tired mantra associated with Kubel (when he gets healthy, just you wait) has to go. He simply isn't the same kid who hit .347 between Class AA New Britain, AAA Rochester and the Twins in 2004 (24 HR, 107 RBI). That knee ain't gettin' any newer.

That said, let's assume he is who he is. Put away the what-ifs. Trash the potential. Look at the facts. Kubel's played 80 games so far this year -- the most in a single season during his short major league career -- and his hitting about .250 with 17 2B, 8 HR, and 40 RBI.

While not exactly A-Rod numbers, those aren't too bad to stomach, are they? Consider again that he is the fourth outfielder (Twins top three should be Hunter, Cuddyer and Rondie White) and a second-year player on a Major League roster, these aren't bad numbers. He's played 13 games as a DH, and it's safe to say he's not cut out for that role. But as someone making the Major League minimum ($387,500) he's sufficient. Frankly, we cheered these stats from fourth outfielders Bobby Kielty and Dustan Mohr. Remember when Mohr/Kielty were the ballyhooed platoon in right during the 2002-2003 seasons?

Mohr averaged 120 games, 366 AB, 95 H, .260 BA, 23 2B, 11 HR, and 41 RBI.

Rusty Kielty over the same two seasons averaged 125 G (62 with Toronto after the trade for Shannon Stewart), 358 AB, 94 H, .263 BA, 20 2B, 13 HR, and 52 RBI.

The problem simply isn't Kubel. The problem is Rondell White. The problem with Rondell White is he doesn't play -- ever. The knock on Rondie when he came to the Twins was he was oft-injured. Guess what? They were right. Kubel's doing his job. The potential may still be there for Kubel, but I don't want to hear it anymore. He's doing his job at this time. Now it's time for another outfielder to allow him to play his role and grow.