Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 18

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Perhaps even more so than trade talk, a great win or even a playoff push, nothing gets the chatter amongst sports fans going quite like new uniforms for the home team. Huh? No, really. Your Humble Page 2 Correspondent is convinced that there are few things fans enjoy bantering about and critiquing more than the clothes that their favorite athletes wear on the field. As such, there was intense interest in what the updated Twins uniforms would look like when they were revealed Monday. And there seems to be a consensus that the Twins did pretty well for themselves. While retro can be overdone, there is absolutely not a thing wrong with those home throwback uniforms that pay homage to the 1961 ..."

Re-signing Joe Mauer will drive Twins' payroll into orbit in 2011

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November 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Tom Powers

"The magic number is a secret. Bill Smith knows what it is. Dave St. Peter knows what it is. So do Jim Pohlad and Jerry Bell. As for everybody else, we're just guessing. All we know for sure is that the Twins' payroll is going to get jacked up next season. Way, way up. "I can't comment on anything relative to Joe Mauer and his contract status," said St. Peter, the team president. I know, Dave. "I'm not going there." No problem. "I can't comment." Fair enough. Besides, the Mauer signing won't affect the 2010 payroll because it will take the form of an extension that begins in 2011. But the payroll still is going to balloon next season. Consider this: The Twins opened last season with a ..."

Crede an option to return at third for Twins

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November 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Crede was on the Twins' radar at this time last year, though not much was made of it publicly, General Manager Bill Smith said. Now, Crede is a free agent again, recovering from another back surgery, and he remains an option to fill third base for the Twins in 2010. "We've got a lot of depth [at third base]," Smith said. "We're going to look at what's available in free agency, what's available in trade, and what's available in-house." At this week's GM meetings in Chicago, Crede's agent, Scott Boras, said his client's third lower-back surgery in three years made a difference. Boras said it was a minor procedure to remove tissue that was putting pressure on a nerve. "They finally feel ..."

Tejada, Cabrera head free agent shortstops

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November 12

MLB.com

"This year's class of free agent shortstops features two familiar names in former Most Valuable Player Miguel Tejada and the always steady Orlando Cabrera, yet it's a mostly unheralded shortstop from Venezuela who figures to be the crown jewel of the class. Toronto's Marco Scutaro, who might not be a household name like Tejada and Cabrera, could certainly provide the most value, considering what he brings both offensively and defensively to the shortstop position. Scutaro emerged as one of baseball's better leadoff hitters last season, when he hit .282 with an impressive .379 on-base percentage while also providing some power with 12 homers and some speed with 14 stolen bases. He's the ..."

Twins, Mauer contract talks quiet

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November 12

MLB.com

"Twins catcher Joe Mauer knows his contract status will be a topic that draws national attention this offseason. A report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Wednesday said that Mauer and the Twins have started talks on a new contract, but the catcher indicated later that day that nothing serious has taken place between the two sides just yet. "Nothing new to report," Mauer said when asked about a possible contract extension in a phone interview late Wednesday. "I've gotten a chance to start thinking about those things, but we really haven't started [negotiating with the Twins]." Mauer, 26, is getting set to enter the final year of a four-year, $33 million contract that he signed before the ..."

Minnesota Twins' Jerry Bell says 'we'll see' if team can afford to keep Joe Mauer

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November 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"As the Twins' top executive under the Pohlad family ownership, Jerry Bell has helped negotiate and approve the biggest player contracts in team history. The Twins and representatives for catcher Joe Mauer, who can become a free agent after next season, have begun talking about a new deal. "Everything in time ... it'll work out — I hope, and I'm pretty sure," Bell said Wednesday. "I feel good about it because I think he wants to stay here and we sure want him to be here, and all of his teammates want him to be here." Can the Twins afford Mauer, 26, who on Nov. 23 is expected to be named the American League's most valuable player? "We'll see," Bell said. Bell said he's not nervous about ..."

Mauer: Contract talks haven't started

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November 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Jerry Bell was Twins president in November 1989 when the team gave Kirby Puckett a three-year, $9 million contract, making Puckett baseball's first $3 million-per-year player. Puckett's agent was Ron Shapiro, who now represents Twins catcher Joe Mauer, as the team considers another major contract. "I'm confident that we'll have a good negotiation because I know we're dealing with good people," said Bell, now president of Twins Sports Inc. "I can't say I'm confident about the outcome because I don't know." Bell and General Manager Bill Smith would not confirm a Pioneer Press report that the team has begun talking with Mauer about a new deal. But Bell said: "I think when sides want to get ..."

Perkins drops grievance as pitcher, team settle

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November 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Glen Perkins has dropped his grievance against the Twins as the sides reached a settlement this week, avoiding a hearing that was scheduled for Friday in New York. According to a person familiar with the settlement, the lefthander did recoup some service time but not enough to qualify for salary arbitration. Though most players need three years of big league service to qualify for arbitration, Perkins was on track to qualify as a "Super 2," a category for players who fall days short."

Minnesota Twins are ready to reward Joe Mauer

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November 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The last time we caught up with Joe Mauer he was cleaning out his Metrodome locker for the last time, the day after the New York Yankees swept his Minnesota Twins out of the postseason. He's healthier now, and in a better frame of mind, though there still is a lot on his plate. On Tuesday, the Twins catcher won his second Gold Glove Award, and he's awaiting word on whether he will be named the American League's most valuable player Nov. 23. There also is business to be handled, a contract extension aimed at keeping Mauer from becoming a free agent after next season. Told late Wednesday the team has begun negotiating an extension, Mauer said, "That's news to me, I guess." What he did know ..."

Minnesota Twins, Joe Mauer have started contract talks

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November 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"As the Minnesota Twins' top executive under the Pohlad family ownership, Jerry Bell has helped negotiate and approve the team's biggest player contracts in history. The Twins and representatives for catcher Joe Mauer, who can become a free agent after next season, have begun talking about a new deal. "Everything in time ... it'll work out — I hope, and I'm pretty sure," Bell said this morning. "I feel good about it because I think he wants to stay here, and we sure want him to be here and all of his teammates want him to be here." Can the Twins afford Mauer, 26, who is expected to be named the American League's MVP on Nov. 23? "We'll see," Bell said. Bell said he's not nervous about having ..."

Indians want a veteran pitcher; if Jake Westbrook isn't ready, is Carl Pavano an answer?

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November 11

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Indians, at the moment, are expecting Jake Westbrook to be in the starting rotation when the season opens April 5 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. It's why Westbrook will start for Ponce and manager Eduardo Perez on Nov. 28 in Puerto Rico. Perez, the Indians' former first baseman, is managing Ponce for the second year. He said Tuesday at the General Managers meetings that Westbrook will test his surgically repaired right elbow from Nov. 28 through Dec. 17. "Our expectation is, at this point, that Jake will be in our rotation at the start of the year," said assistant GM Chris Antonetti. If Westbrook, who did not make a big-league start last year and has just five in the last two ..."

Twins not opposed to adding a veteran arm

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"Twins general manager Bill Smith doesn't feel like he needs to add a starting pitcher this offseason. But he still might. Smith listed six internal candidates for the five-man rotation: Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins and Brian Duensing. What's missing? A veteran. Fortunately for Smith, there are a lot of No. 3 and No. 4 starters on the free agent market. Carl Pavano, who finished the year with the Twins, is one of them. Smith has interest in bringing him back. Smith is upbeat about the chances that Pat Neshek and Boof Bonser can contribute in the bullpen after missing this year with injuries. Neshek was a top setup man before undergoing Tommy ..."

Twins add four to 40-man roster

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November 11

MLB.com

"The Twins took right-handed pitchers Boof Bonser, Pat Neshek and Kevin Slowey off the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday and reinstated them to the 40-man roster. Bonser and Neshek both missed the entire 2009 season following surgeries. Neshek underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery last November, and Bonser had surgery on his right shoulder in February to repair partial tears in his rotator cuff and labrum. Slowey went 10-3 with a 4.86 ERA in 16 starts before undergoing season-ending surgery in July to remove bone chips from his right wrist."

Kelly honored to be on Hall ballot

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November 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Tom Kelly, the manager who led the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, is one of eight former managers the Baseball Hall of Fame Veterans Committee will consider for induction July 25, 2010. "I really don't know much about it, but certainly it's quite an honor to be on the list, I guess," Kelly said after learning of the nomination. "There are some pretty good names there." The others under consideration are former Twins managers Gene Mauch and Billy Martin, as well as Whitey Herzog, Charlie Grimm, Davey Johnson, Danny Murtaugh and Steve O'Neill. A committee of Baseball Writers' Association of America members developed the ballot of managers. Kelly managed the Twins for 16 ..."

Twins need to find way to advance, Smith says

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November 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"When Twins General Manager Bill Smith reflects on his team's three-and-out postseason, he doesn't think about all the money the Yankees spent on free agents last offseason. He thinks about missed chances. The Twins held a lead after the midpoint of each game. "We have to find ways to close the gap," Smith said Tuesday, on Day 2 of baseball's GM Meetings. To many non-Yankee fans, the tickertape floating through Manhattan last week was another sign the sky is falling. After missing the playoffs last year, the Yankees spent $423.5 million on CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, seemingly buying their 27th World Series title. But to the GMs assembled in Chicago this week, that parade ..."

Jeter and Teixeira Receive Gold Glove Awards

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November 11

New York Times

"Derek Jeter, whose defense has been criticized in recent years through statistical analyses, won a Gold Glove award for his defense, joining Yankees teammate Mark Teixeira on the list of American League recipients released Tuesday. No other team had multiple winners. At 35, Jeter became the second-oldest shortstop to win the award; Luis Aparicio won it at 36 in 1970. Jeter has won four Gold Gloves, collecting the others from 2004 to 2006. "I've always taken a great deal of pride in my defense, and being honored with a Gold Glove is an accomplishment I will never overlook," Jeter said in a statement."

Ichiro, Hunter win ninth Gold Gloves

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November 10

MLB.com

"The American League Gold Glove winners, unveiled on Tuesday, showcase the cream of the league's defensive excellence, the ooh-and-aah squad. The dive-and-spin, dirty-uniform parade began with Mark Teixeira, who earned his third Gold Glove -- but first since 2006 -- for an often-overlooked aspect of his game that was every bit as vital to the Yankees' drive to a World Series title as his 39 home runs and 122 RBIs. Teixeira made only four errors in 1,275 chances, to say nothing of the errors by other infielders he prevented with his wide-ranging scoops of errant throws. The Tigers' Placido Polanco earned the award at second base after it had been "borrowed" last year by Boston's Dustin ..."

Around the majors

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November 10

SI.com

(scroll down)

"• Andy Pettitte has indicated to teammates that he is leaning toward returning to the Yankees for one more year. If they need it for further convincing, one of the Yankees' sales points will be that 10-15 more wins will aid his Hall of Fame candidacy. • The Phillies are expected to try to lock up Cliff Lee, though with a year to go before free agency, they'll be looking at something less than nine figures. • While the Phillies declined the option on defensively adept third baseman Pedro Feliz for $5.5 million, they're interested in bringing him back at a slightly lower figure. • The Red Sox will still consider Alex Gonzalez after declining his $6 million option and also look at free agent ..."

Cabrera last of Twins to file for free agency

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November 10

MLB.com

"The Twins' free-agent filings are now complete. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera filed for free agency on Monday, making him the last of the Twins' five free-agent eligible players to do so. Cabrera joins pitcher Carl Pavano, third baseman Joe Crede, catcher Mike Redmond and reliever Ron Mahay as free agents. The Twins have exclusive negotiating and signing rights with the five players until Nov. 20. For Cabrera, it's the second time in as many years that he enters the free-agent market. Last winter, the shortstop had difficulty finding a deal due to the fact that he was a Type A free agent and clubs faced giving up a top Draft choice as compensation to sign him. Cabrera didn't wind up with a ..."

Twins' Gabino claimed by Orioles

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November 9

MLB.com

"The Twins' 40-man roster continued to get some alterations on Monday, as right-hander Armando Gabino was claimed by the Orioles on outright waivers. Gabino, 26, went 0-0 with a 17.18 ERA in two appearances (one start) for the Twins in 2009. He made his Major League debut on Aug. 25 in a spot start against the Orioles, lasting just 2 2/3 innings while allowing four runs on five hits."

Winter heat is on the rise

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November 9

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Do this perhaps?sign Pavano (should be able to he made his big money at NYY lol!) and washburn if they can...there are your two vet starters. Ask Crede if … read more he'll take the same contract as last year (1.5 mil base I believe) not a bad price to take another chance on, outdoor baseball may help him stay healthy. Then if try an sign someone that can pitch the 8th and also close a game as well so nathan doesnt get burned out again...Lets hope Neshek recovers better then Lairano did...2010! It might be called the Hot Stove League, but Twins fans waited almost all last winter for their oven to finish preheating. On a frigid Jan. 23 day in Minneapolis, General Manager Bill Smith opened ..."

Offseason to-do list

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November 9

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Twins crossed two things off their offseason to-do list with Friday's trade for J.J. Hardy -- acquiring a shortstop and removing Carlos Gomez from their outfield logjam. But they still have more to do, and here are five suggestions: 1Sign Joe Mauer to a long-term contract. 2 Explore trades for an ace, such as Josh Johnson or Roy Halladay. 3Re-sign free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano. 4 If No. 2 and No. 3 fail, sign free-agent pitcher Jarrod Washburn."

Twins reward Cuddyer by picking up 2011 option

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November 8

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Michael Cuddyer had one of the bigger comeback seasons in the American League this year, and on Saturday the Twins rewarded him by picking up his $10.5 million option for 2011. The move assures the Twins of having Cuddyer for at least two more seasons. After being limited to 71 games because of a series of injuries in 2008, when he managed just three home runs and 36 RBI, Cuddyer bounced back this year, batting .276 with a career-high 32 home runs and 94 RBI. "We're optimistic that he's going to keep performing at a high level," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "He's been a good player for us. He had a good year this year, and we're counting on him to continue to be a leader on the ..."

Pavano latest Twins free-agent filing

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November 8

MLB.com

"Pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency on Saturday, becoming the fourth of five eligible Twins to do so. Pavano went 14-12 with a 5.10 ERA in 2009 while pitching 199 1/3 innings in 33 combined starts with Cleveland and Minnesota. After coming to the Twins in a waiver trade in early August, Pavano helped during the team's stretch run to yet another division title. He pitched Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees, allowing two runs over seven innings in a loss. The strong season was a sort of career rebirth for the 33-year-old pitcher following four injury-plagued years with the Yankees. Pavano was a relative bargain last offseason in free agency as he signed a ..."

Half of package for Santana now has been traded

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November 7

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Friday's trade for Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy altered the legacy of the Twins' 2008 trade of Johan Santana to the Mets. The Santana deal originally brought center fielder Carlos Gomez and three starting pitching prospects: Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra. The Twins shipped Gomez to the Brewers for Hardy after trading Mulvey to the Diamondbacks in August for reliever Jon Rauch, who is under contract for another season. Humber spent most of the past two seasons in the minors, posting a 6.10 ERA in 13 appearances for the Twins. At age 20, Guerra remains more promising, as he went 6-3 with a 5.17 ERA after a midseason promotion to Class AA New Britain. "I don't want to spend too ..."

Twins' trade fixes two areas

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November 7

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Two days into baseball's offseason, Twins general manager Bill Smith made one move to address two of his team's needs. By sending center fielder Carlos Gomez to the Milwaukee Brewers for former all-star shortstop J.J. Hardy, Smith filled a significant hole in the infield and cleared up the outfield clutter that manager Ron Gardenhire lamented near the end of the 2009 season. Smith also sent away one more reminder of the increasingly disappointing Johan Santana trade. Of the four players the Twins acquired in that deal, only Deolis Guerra remains, with Gomez and Kevin Mulvey traded away and Philip Humber a minor league free agent. In a conference call Friday, Smith focused on the positives ..."

Clueless Gomez a bigger risk than slumping Hardy

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November 7

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Tom Powers

"The Twins have traded a toolbox without a key for a mystery. Carlos Gomez has talent, the greatest of which is raw speed. He also has the baseball instincts of an Icelandic grade-schooler. As wonderful as he was to watch play center field, Gomez was a disaster everywhere else. He was clueless in the batter's box. And he was prone to base-running gaffes, one of which probably cost the Twins a playoff game against the Yankees. If nothing else, his departure to the Milwaukee Brewers will add years to the life of Twins first-base coach Jerry White. Poor Jerry had the unenviable task of trying to keep Go-Go from getting picked off. That was tough sledding. J.J. Hardy either is an all-star or a ..."

Twins sale: Letting go, moving on

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November 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kirby Puckett's famous Seat 27 won't be available. Neither will the infamous "baggie" that hung in right field, nor the two World Series trophies the Minnesota Twins won in 1987 and 1991. But when the Twins hold the mother of all moving sales Saturday at the Metrodome, there will be 20,000 programs from Kirby Puckett memorial night in 2006, a couple of signed Nick Punto jerseys and a bunch of bobbleheads. "There will be literally tens of thousands of items," Patrick Klinger, the Twins' vice president for marketing, said Thursday. "After 28 years of playing baseball in the Metrodome, we've accumulated a vast array of items." The team played its last game at the Dome on Oct. 11 and almost ..."

Cuddyer option is first order of business for Twins

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November 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"When the World Series ended Wednesday, the clock began ticking on some key offseason decisions for the Twins. They have until Monday to decide whether to pick up right fielder Michael Cuddyer's $10.5 million option for 2011 or pay him a $1 million buyout. They also have an exclusive negotiating window through Nov. 19 with pending free agents Orlando Cabrera, Joe Crede, Ron Mahay, Carl Pavano and Mike Redmond. "We have to address those five one way or the other," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said Thursday, leaving open the possibility one or more could be retained. The free-agent market officially opens Nov. 20, which is also the deadline for teams to reset their 40-man rosters. While ..."

Twins cut Buscher from 40-man roster

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November 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Twins have cut infielder Brian Buscher from their 40-man roster, outrighting him to Class AAA Rochester. He can become a minor-league free agent 16 days after the World Series. Buscher, 28, batted .235 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 61 games for the Twins this season, posting a .360 on-base percentage and a .316 slugging percentage."

Mauer says he's feeling good as hip flexor pain subsides

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November 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"After the painstaking offseason Joe Mauer had last year, Twins General Manager Bill Smith seemed thrilled to report Tuesday that Mauer is expecting some normalcy this winter. Mauer went to Baltimore last week for a follow-up on the lower-back injury that befuddled the All-Star catcher last winter, forcing him to miss all of spring training and the season's first month. Though Mauer, 26, reported no setbacks with his inflamed sacroiliac joint, he had hip flexor pain during the Division Series against the Yankees. Those concerns have since subsided. "He's doing very well," Smith said. "We've gotten all good reports. I think he's pleased and looking forward to a fairly normal offseason and ..."

Mauer honored by his peers, named AL Outstanding Player

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October 30

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Mauer's American League MVP chances hinge on a vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Two writers from each AL market cast their votes after the regular season, with an announcement coming Nov. 23. On Thursday, the Twins catcher received a similar award in a vote cast by his peers. Mauer, 26, was given the Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Player by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Albert Pujols received National League honors for the seventh time. The union conducted its annual balloting in September, and Mauer became the first Twins player to win the honor, which has been awarded each year since 1993. In 2006, when Twins first baseman Justin Morneau ..."

Mauer is the Twins MVP; Cuddyer is most improved

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October 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Mauer was named the Twins' Most Valuable Player for the first time in his career Monday by the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Mauer also is a strong candidate for American League MVP honors, an announcement the BBWAA will unveil Nov. 23. Mauer, 26, won his third career batting title, hitting .365, and led the AL in on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.587). He also set career highs in home runs (28) and RBI (96). Besides Twins MVP, the local BBWAA chapter also handed Mauer his third Dick Siebert Award, as Upper Midwest Player of the Year."

Minnesota Twins' Joe Nathan won't use elbow as excuse

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October 24

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan, who had two bone chips and some other particles removed from his right elbow by noted orthopedist James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., this week, said this morning that the tender elbow didn't affect his pitching late in the season. "Not at all; no chance of that," Nathan said. "You talk to any pitcher and ask them if they ever feel 100 percent, and if they tell you they do, they're definitely lying. "To me, it was just another day at the office out there. And even if (the arm) didn't feel great, you go through that during the course of 162 games, when you're not going to feel great sometimes. "Shoot, that last run we had (to win the division) was one of ..."

Nathan has bone chips removed from elbow

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October 23

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins closer Joe Nathan turns 35 next month. He's coming off a season in which he saved 47 games but, for now, is remembered more for the save opportunity he blew Oct. 9 during Game 2 of the ALDS to the Yankees. On Tuesday, Nathan had surgery to remove two bone chips from his right elbow, acknowledging that he pitched a chunk of the season not at his fittest. "This is definitely something I'm not going to use as an excuse," Nathan said from his home in Knoxville, Tenn. Nathan had the surgery in Birmingham, Ala., at the offices of Dr. James Andrews, and is expected to be ready in time for the start of spring training. Nathan said he iced his elbow more this year than in any previous season, ..."

Twins' Sano gets visa, will start in Fort Myers

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October 22

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Twins' pursuit of top prospect Miguel Angel Sano has officially paid off. The club learned this week that he's been granted a work visa to play in the United States next year. Sano, 16, a power-hitting shortstop who's expected to wind up at third base or the outfield, will now receive a $3.15 million bonus that was contingent upon obtaining the visa. It's the second-highest bonus ever for a Latin American prospect, not counting Cuban-born players. Instead of spending a year or two at the Twins' academy in the Dominican Republic with other prospects from the area, Sano is expected to begin his career at Fort Myers, Fla., next year as part of the organization's rookie team in the Gulf ..."

Twins have a long to-do list this offseason

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October 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"While the Twins rallied to win the American League Central division, their soft spots were adequately hidden. But they were exposed in a sweep by the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. So once again, this team has work to do this offseason. General manager Bill Smith has openings at shortstop, third base and probably second base. He also could use a reliable veteran to help anchor a promising, young pitching staff. And this is to say nothing about catcher Joe Mauer, who probably ought to be signed to an extension this winter or spring. "We got a taste of defeat (Sunday) night and we're going to be better because of it," leadoff hitter Denard Span said Monday as he and some of ..."

Twins' top priority in offseason: re-sign Joe Mauer

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October 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"At about 11 a.m. Monday, a sleepy, sore, bespectacled Joe Mauer ambled into the Twins clubhouse to do some packing, say some goodbyes and, to his chagrin, field a stream of questions about his hours-old offseason. With the end of the 2009 season, the Twins begin what promises to be one of the franchise's most interesting offseasons. With the Twins moving from the Metrodome to Target Field, GM Bill Smith should have leeway to spend more in free agency than he's had in the past, but the prevailing topic hovering around this year's hot stove season will be Mauer. Like Johan Santana after the 2007 season, Mauer is entering the final year of his contract, a four-year, $33 million deal with ..."

Mauer in no rush to settle contract

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October 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Twins' season is over, but that didn't stop the M"

Don't count on any big changes for Twins

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October 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson sang Carl Pavano's praises after Sunday's season-ending 4-1 loss to the Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. "He's a great pickup," Anderson said. "Hopefully he's back here next year." Pavano is one of the main offseason question marks, being one of five pending free agents the Twins could lose before opening Target Field next April. The list also includes Orlando Cabrera, Joe Crede, Ron Mahay and Mike Redmond. The Twins entered their offseason Monday facing new questions, as fans on various message boards began scribbling wish lists. A sampling: 1) Sign Joe Mauer to a lifetime extension; 2) sign Angels pitcher John Lackey and third ..."

Trading Nathan, demoting Gomez should be on to-do list

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October 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Patrick Reusse

"There are facts to remember before comparing the Twins' four consecutive first-round dismissals in the playoffs with the string of early exits by the Kevin Garnett-led Timberwolves and a pair of one-and-dones for Jacques Lemaire's Wild: A baseball team already has reached the final eight in a 30-team league when it starts the postseason. An NBA or an NHL squad must win a first-round series to gain the final eight of those 30-team leagues. That's the last qualifier to be offered in dissecting another failure to advance by Ron Gardenhire's Twins. They were 4-2 in postseason play when this all started back in 2002, and since then have gone 0-4 against the Angels, 0-3 against Oakland and 2-9 ..."

Who would have thought it would be Punto this time?

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October 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Patrick Reusse

"The Twins had last played in the Metrodome on Tuesday. They had outlasted the Detroit Tigers 6-5 in 12 innings to win an American League Central tiebreaker. The most heads-up moment in this marathon came in the top of the 12th, when it was 5-5 and the Tigers had the bases loaded with one out. Brandon Inge hit a chopper over the mound, second baseman Nick Punto charged and on the fly made a throw to the plate for a forceout. The Tigers failed to score, and the Twins won it in the bottom of the inning. "People wonder why I play Nick Punto all the time," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's why I play him. Because he's always in the game, always ready to make the right play. That kid -- that ..."

Twins go three and out as Yankees complete first-round sweep

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October 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The disheartened crowd was filing up the stairs to the Metrodome's exits, and the public-address announcer was urging fans to buy their Target Field season tickets for 2010 when Joe Nathan, not quite finished with 2009, emerged from the Twins' dugout. He walked alone past the ALDS logo painted on the turf, stepped across the foul line, bent down at the edge of the pitcher's mound and scooped up a handful of the dirt he stood atop for so much ninth-inning salvation. His head down, he carried the dirt to the clubhouse and dropped it into a Ziploc bag. "I knew I wanted to bring a little piece of this place over to the new one," Nathan said. The fistful of memories will have to suffice. The ..."

Nick Punto wasn't Twins' only goat in this series

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October 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"When you're playing the New York Yankees, you can't afford many mistakes. The Twins made more than their share in the American League Division Series, and a few were doozies. That's why the Twins were swept out of the postseason on Sunday night. Nick Punto is the goat this morning, but he had company. "I'm sure everybody in this room can go back to one situation and say, 'Man, I wish I could have done something different,' " said closer Joe Nathan, who had problems of his own. "But that's baseball, and everybody has those moments." Punto represented the tying run in the eighth inning when he made the first out at third, a cardinal sin in baseball. That he ran through coach Scott Ullger's ..."

Yankes a well-oiled machine

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October 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"It has been nine years since the New York Yankees won their 26th world championship. Only four current players were among those who vanquished the Mets in the 2000 Subway Series, though none of them are rusted remnants. In Sunday's Game 3 of their American League Division Series, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera bluntly reminded the overmatched Twins why they are among the most prolific postseason performers of their generation. From Jorge Posada's go-ahead home run off Carl Pavano in the seventh inning to Jeter's clutch play in the field to expose Nick Punto's baserunning blunder in the eighth, Pettitte's shutdown pitching and Rivera's familiar finish, the ..."

Twins give Jose Morales another chance

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October 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Asked before Sunday's game if his sore right hip flexor was feeling any better Joe Mauer said, "No. We're at where we're at." Still, Mauer went 1 for 4 and drove in a run on Sunday that put the Twins up 1-0. After the game, the catcher said he's hopeful that his hip injury is minor and will be remedied by rest, but he also said he'd have it looked at to be sure there's nothing more worrisome. Mauer strained his right hip flexor when he fell after rounding first base during Game 163 against Detroit last week. "I hope that's all that it was, but the next couple days, figure things out, see the doctors and if anything was going on, get it taken care of right away," Mauer said. "I think I ..."

Ho-hum, big guys beat little guys once again

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October 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Tom Powers

"Exxon Mobil flattens Barney's Filling Station. Aunt Edna's garage sale is overwhelmed by the Wal-Mart down the block. And the New York Yankees sweep the Minnesota Twins. Once again the little guys are denied even a moment in the sun, or the frigid Minnesota evening as the case may be. The working stiffs with the lunchboxes were run over by a fleet of limos as they waited for the light to change. Viva capitalism. The Yankees closed it out, 4-1 on Sunday. The best team that money can buy didn't even break a sweat celebrating. The Yanks have bigger fish to fry as they gear for their next foe, the Los Angeles Angels. As for the Twins, well, they weren't thrilled with the outcome but they ..."

Yankees just too good for banged-up Twins

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October 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Sid Hartman

"Years of circumstantial evidence suggests that the ALDS is partially rigged to favor a ALCS which involves very large market teams. … read more In 2004, Joe Nathan entered a game against the Yankees in the 10th inning where, try as he might, he could not throw a strike. This year, an umpire 30 feet away, staring directly at the play, inexplicably blows a call which no one has any interest in disputing or overturning. If any of this is actually on the level, there will be changes next year, at least in the playoff series, to allow for egregious "errors" to be overturned and review. MLB's tolerance of "shenanigans" has helped to get it tossed out of the Olympics, and if it continues, it will ..."

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