Mailbag: What new faces are on tap?
12/12/2005
After taking a one-week break during the Winter Meetings, the Twins mailbag returns this week with a bit of a new look.
As many of you read two weeks ago, Mark Sheldon has moved to the Reds beat to be closer to family and I am taking over as the Twins beat writer. So before I get to all your very insightful questions about the Twins, let me start by introducing myself.
I'm coming to Minnesota after spending the 2005 season as an intern for MLB.com in Chicago. During my time there, I helped to cover the White Sox, the Cubs and even took a few trips up to Milwaukee to help out with the Brewers.
This will be my first stint in the Twin Cities, but judging by the warm welcomes I have already received, I'm sure that it will be a great experience. Now, let's get started on that journey with a glimpse into the mailbag.
Why was the new Twin, Alexi Casilla, who was just acquired in the trade for J.C. Romero, sent from Double-A, then to Triple-A, and then back to Class A for the duration of the 2004 season? Also, how long are the Twins expecting before he moves to the Major League level? -- Joey L., Plymouth, Minn.
Well, Joey, let me start off by saying that the Romero trade definitely stirred up a few fans in Twinsland. By far the most questions I received this week had to do with the trade that occurred last Friday. While everyone knows that Romero ruffled a few feathers within the organization, most observers felt that the Twins could have gotten more of out the trade than just a young prospect, and they weren't afraid to share those thoughts.
For the Twins, keeping a calm clubhouse seemed to be the most important priority in this deal. Teams can fall apart when just one player doesn't have a respectful relationship with the manager or coach (i.e. Terrell Owens in Philadelphia) so allowing Romero to get a fresh start as well as the team seemed the best solution. Romero's rough seasons the past two years may have diminished his value and this may have been the best the club could have done in the situation.
As for what the Twins got in Casilla, the Angels appeared to be pretty high on the young prospect, but injuries set him back this year and that is why there was all the shipping around. The 22-year-old prospect made good use of his playing time in Cedar Rapids, though, by finishing fourth in the league in stolen bases. Though not displaying a very strong bat, Casilla has great speed and a knack for getting on base. Twins general manager Terry Ryan believes that Casilla will eventually be an asset in the infield. When exactly Casilla will make that impact remains to be seen, but it certainly won't be this coming season.
I have been following Mike Cuddyer since probably 2001, when he was just making his name for the Twins. I have always liked him and hoped he would make a big impact and live up to his top-prospect status. So with the infield pretty much out of the equation for him now, will he get another chance to be an everyday player in the outfield for the Twins? -- Andrew S., Yorkville, Ill.
You aren't the only one who still likes Cuddyer, Andrew. Despite a rough year at third base where he made 15 errors, Cuddyer remains a strong prospect in the eyes of the Twins management. The 26-year-old, who had surgery this offseason to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, will have a chance again this spring to earn a starting spot -- but not at the corner infield position he played in 2005.
The outfield is the first spot Cuddyer will get a chance at, but there could be another interesting move in store. If the Twins don't land a big bat to put in the designated hitter spot, Ryan has said he might try Cuddyer at that position. The DH might be a bit of a tough role for an unproven bat, so more likely if Cuddyer earns a fulltime starting spot, it will be in right field.
Is Glenn Williams (utility infielder) likely to reappear in the Twins roster in 2006 after his brief but impressive appearance in 2005, when he batted .425 in 40 at-bats?-- Stan Z., Brisbane, Australia
Hello there to those down under! It's not every day you get to hear from international fans, so thanks for the e-mail, Stan. As for Williams, his contract was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester in early October, but that doesn't mean his days with Minnesota are over. Williams impressed many with his offensive prowess in such a limited role, and Ryan has said an invitation for Spring Training will likely be extended to the switch-hitter.
Before Williams heads to Fort Myers though, he will first get a chance to showcase his abilities on an even bigger stage with the Australia team in this year's World Baseball Classic. Williams is one of seven Twins players who have agreed to participate in the event if invited.
Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada has asked to be traded. Will the Twins go after him? He is playing well in the field and at the plate. -- Nick C., Cottage Grove, Minn.
Tejada is just one of the veteran names being thrown around looking to join a new team, Nick, but it's doubtful Minnesota will be the place where he ends up. Yes, the Twins are looking for some bats, but they are also committed to stick by young shortstop Jason Bartlett.
Bartlett hit .241 with 17 RBIs in his first full season with the club. Not exactly blow your socks off numbers, but many see a lot of promise in Bartlett. Ryan has said he expects great things of the 26-year-old shortstop in 2006, and it looks like the Twins are going to give Barlett the chance to prove them right.
If the front office is set on Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, and Francisco Liriano as our top three starters for the future, why not trade Kyle Lohse and Scott Baker for hitting help? It seems to be an either/or situation, but if our system is as rich in pitching as the organization touts, then we'll be better off filling those holes ourselves. Eh? -- Matt C., St. Paul
It's easy to trade away reliable arms when you have a wealth of fresh young stock, huh, Matt? Well, the problem is that the answer isn't so simple. Though the Twins do have a logjam of strong hurlers waiting in the wings, they remain mostly unproven. To trade away Lohse and Baker, who has some Major League experience, would leave serious gaps in Minnesota's rotation, and that's not a risk that they are willing to take.
Manager Ron Gardenhire has said that pitching is what has kept the Twins in the AL Central race year after year. With the moves that both Chicago and Cleveland have made to improve this offseason, it could be dangerous for the Twins to get rid of too many pitching options. One of those two names, either Lohse or Baker, could be sent away, but getting rid of both is very unlikely.
What do you think the chances are of the Twins acquiring Hank Blalock and/or Bill Mueller? I've heard that a lot teams are interested in Mueller, but I've also heard that we've been talking with the Rangers about a trade including Baker and Hank Blalock. -- Alex S., Edina, Minn.
The need for a third baseman is seemingly the top priority for the Twins with a designated hitter No. 2 on that wish list. Blalock certainly is on the Twins radar, Alex, as the front office met with the Rangers to discuss possible trades during the Winter Meetings. The question still remains as to who the Twins would be willing to trade to get such a third baseman or even if Texas would be willing to trade Blalock. Many teams are proclaiming interest in Lohse, but if the team is to deal away the right-hander it would leave two spots in the rotation likely going to rookies, which is a bit risky.
Mueller seems a much less likely candidate for that third-base spot as the Twins don't seem to have much interest in the free agent. A free agent that could pop up on the radar for Minnesota at the position would be Nomar Garciaparra. After signing a one-year deal with the Cubs last season and then struggling with health problems, Garciaparra looks to be signed to another short-term contract that could be in the Twins ballpark. Though his experience at third is limited to only a few starts he made at the position in Chicago during the last month of the season, Garciaparra showed that third might be a spot he can handle. And with a bat like Garciparra has, he surely can attract the attention of the Twins brass.
Thanks for all of your e-mails this week and please keep them coming. I am looking forward to a great 2006 season and hope to have all of you with me every step of the way.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
After taking a one-week break during the Winter Meetings, the Twins mailbag returns this week with a bit of a new look.
As many of you read two weeks ago, Mark Sheldon has moved to the Reds beat to be closer to family and I am taking over as the Twins beat writer. So before I get to all your very insightful questions about the Twins, let me start by introducing myself.
I'm coming to Minnesota after spending the 2005 season as an intern for MLB.com in Chicago. During my time there, I helped to cover the White Sox, the Cubs and even took a few trips up to Milwaukee to help out with the Brewers.
This will be my first stint in the Twin Cities, but judging by the warm welcomes I have already received, I'm sure that it will be a great experience. Now, let's get started on that journey with a glimpse into the mailbag.
Why was the new Twin, Alexi Casilla, who was just acquired in the trade for J.C. Romero, sent from Double-A, then to Triple-A, and then back to Class A for the duration of the 2004 season? Also, how long are the Twins expecting before he moves to the Major League level? -- Joey L., Plymouth, Minn.
Well, Joey, let me start off by saying that the Romero trade definitely stirred up a few fans in Twinsland. By far the most questions I received this week had to do with the trade that occurred last Friday. While everyone knows that Romero ruffled a few feathers within the organization, most observers felt that the Twins could have gotten more of out the trade than just a young prospect, and they weren't afraid to share those thoughts.
For the Twins, keeping a calm clubhouse seemed to be the most important priority in this deal. Teams can fall apart when just one player doesn't have a respectful relationship with the manager or coach (i.e. Terrell Owens in Philadelphia) so allowing Romero to get a fresh start as well as the team seemed the best solution. Romero's rough seasons the past two years may have diminished his value and this may have been the best the club could have done in the situation.
As for what the Twins got in Casilla, the Angels appeared to be pretty high on the young prospect, but injuries set him back this year and that is why there was all the shipping around. The 22-year-old prospect made good use of his playing time in Cedar Rapids, though, by finishing fourth in the league in stolen bases. Though not displaying a very strong bat, Casilla has great speed and a knack for getting on base. Twins general manager Terry Ryan believes that Casilla will eventually be an asset in the infield. When exactly Casilla will make that impact remains to be seen, but it certainly won't be this coming season.
I have been following Mike Cuddyer since probably 2001, when he was just making his name for the Twins. I have always liked him and hoped he would make a big impact and live up to his top-prospect status. So with the infield pretty much out of the equation for him now, will he get another chance to be an everyday player in the outfield for the Twins? -- Andrew S., Yorkville, Ill.
You aren't the only one who still likes Cuddyer, Andrew. Despite a rough year at third base where he made 15 errors, Cuddyer remains a strong prospect in the eyes of the Twins management. The 26-year-old, who had surgery this offseason to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, will have a chance again this spring to earn a starting spot -- but not at the corner infield position he played in 2005.
The outfield is the first spot Cuddyer will get a chance at, but there could be another interesting move in store. If the Twins don't land a big bat to put in the designated hitter spot, Ryan has said he might try Cuddyer at that position. The DH might be a bit of a tough role for an unproven bat, so more likely if Cuddyer earns a fulltime starting spot, it will be in right field.
Is Glenn Williams (utility infielder) likely to reappear in the Twins roster in 2006 after his brief but impressive appearance in 2005, when he batted .425 in 40 at-bats?-- Stan Z., Brisbane, Australia
Hello there to those down under! It's not every day you get to hear from international fans, so thanks for the e-mail, Stan. As for Williams, his contract was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester in early October, but that doesn't mean his days with Minnesota are over. Williams impressed many with his offensive prowess in such a limited role, and Ryan has said an invitation for Spring Training will likely be extended to the switch-hitter.
Before Williams heads to Fort Myers though, he will first get a chance to showcase his abilities on an even bigger stage with the Australia team in this year's World Baseball Classic. Williams is one of seven Twins players who have agreed to participate in the event if invited.
Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada has asked to be traded. Will the Twins go after him? He is playing well in the field and at the plate. -- Nick C., Cottage Grove, Minn.
Tejada is just one of the veteran names being thrown around looking to join a new team, Nick, but it's doubtful Minnesota will be the place where he ends up. Yes, the Twins are looking for some bats, but they are also committed to stick by young shortstop Jason Bartlett.
Bartlett hit .241 with 17 RBIs in his first full season with the club. Not exactly blow your socks off numbers, but many see a lot of promise in Bartlett. Ryan has said he expects great things of the 26-year-old shortstop in 2006, and it looks like the Twins are going to give Barlett the chance to prove them right.
If the front office is set on Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, and Francisco Liriano as our top three starters for the future, why not trade Kyle Lohse and Scott Baker for hitting help? It seems to be an either/or situation, but if our system is as rich in pitching as the organization touts, then we'll be better off filling those holes ourselves. Eh? -- Matt C., St. Paul
It's easy to trade away reliable arms when you have a wealth of fresh young stock, huh, Matt? Well, the problem is that the answer isn't so simple. Though the Twins do have a logjam of strong hurlers waiting in the wings, they remain mostly unproven. To trade away Lohse and Baker, who has some Major League experience, would leave serious gaps in Minnesota's rotation, and that's not a risk that they are willing to take.
Manager Ron Gardenhire has said that pitching is what has kept the Twins in the AL Central race year after year. With the moves that both Chicago and Cleveland have made to improve this offseason, it could be dangerous for the Twins to get rid of too many pitching options. One of those two names, either Lohse or Baker, could be sent away, but getting rid of both is very unlikely.
What do you think the chances are of the Twins acquiring Hank Blalock and/or Bill Mueller? I've heard that a lot teams are interested in Mueller, but I've also heard that we've been talking with the Rangers about a trade including Baker and Hank Blalock. -- Alex S., Edina, Minn.
The need for a third baseman is seemingly the top priority for the Twins with a designated hitter No. 2 on that wish list. Blalock certainly is on the Twins radar, Alex, as the front office met with the Rangers to discuss possible trades during the Winter Meetings. The question still remains as to who the Twins would be willing to trade to get such a third baseman or even if Texas would be willing to trade Blalock. Many teams are proclaiming interest in Lohse, but if the team is to deal away the right-hander it would leave two spots in the rotation likely going to rookies, which is a bit risky.
Mueller seems a much less likely candidate for that third-base spot as the Twins don't seem to have much interest in the free agent. A free agent that could pop up on the radar for Minnesota at the position would be Nomar Garciaparra. After signing a one-year deal with the Cubs last season and then struggling with health problems, Garciaparra looks to be signed to another short-term contract that could be in the Twins ballpark. Though his experience at third is limited to only a few starts he made at the position in Chicago during the last month of the season, Garciaparra showed that third might be a spot he can handle. And with a bat like Garciparra has, he surely can attract the attention of the Twins brass.
Thanks for all of your e-mails this week and please keep them coming. I am looking forward to a great 2006 season and hope to have all of you with me every step of the way.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
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